Cuomo: Let Cities Opt out of Cannabis Shops if NY Legalizes

The Associated PressPublished on January 14, 2019 · Last updated July 28, 2020

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement, called the The Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, on a span of the new bridge near Tarrytown, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. The event was held a day before vehicles start rolling across the massive new Hudson River span. Cuomo and a host of other dignitaries attended Thursday's ceremony for the 3-mile long bridge, which is being named after Cuomo's late father. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is dropping a few hints about his upcoming marijuana legalization proposal.

Speaking on public radio Monday, the Democratic governor says that if legalization moves ahead he believes local governments should have the power to prohibit retail cannabis shops within their boundaries. That’s similar to the situation in neighboring Massachusetts, which now has six retail marijuana dispensaries.

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Cuomo also said he wants to prohibit anyone under 21 from buying legal weed, mirroring the rules for alcohol.

More details are expected when Cuomo delivers his State of the State address on Tuesday.

While there’s broad support for legalizing marijuana in New York, there’s no consensus yet on the details, such as tax rates, licensing rules or the number of retail shops that would be allowed.