New York may legalise cannabis next year after governor pledges to make it priority

The governor of New York has announced he will push to legalise recreational cannabis next year.

Andrew Cuomo said the move would prevent “needless and unjust” criminal convictions and potentially bring in billions in tax revenue.

New York could become the 11th US state to legalise marijuana if the proposal is approved.

Neighbouring New Jersey is also weighing up whether to permit recreational cannabis use.

In a speech outlining his plans for 2019, Mr Cuomo said the move would make the justice system fairer. Pro-legalisation campaigners argue that criminalisation of cannabis use disproportionately harms minorities.

“We must also end the needless and unjust criminal convictions and the debilitating criminal stigma, and let’s legalise the adult use of recreational marijuana once and for all,” Mr Cuomo said.

The decision marks a shift in stance for Mr Cuomo, who as recently as last year opposed full legalisation. His Democratic challenger this year, actress Cynthia Nixon, campaigned on legalising marijuana, among other liberal positions.

A legal market for marijuana in New York could be worth between $1.7bn (£1.3bn) and $3.5bn (£2.8bn) annually, according to a report commissioned by the governor and published in the summer.

The added revenue could help address a number of needs, including New York City’s troubled subway system, which is desperately in need of major repairs and upgrades.

Mr Cuomo appointed a working group in August to draft legislation to legalise and regulate the drug.

He has not provided a timeline, but supporters of legalisation hope it could be put before senators as part of budget proposals next month.

Democrats will control both of the state’s legislative chambers next year after capturing the state Senate in November’s election, increasing the likelihood of any legalisation bill passing,

Starting with Colorado and Washington in 2012, states that have legalised marijuana for adult use have typically done so through public ballots. In January this year, Vermont became the first state to approve recreational marijuana use through legislative action.

Other states where marijuana is legal for adult use include Alaska, Oregon, California, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada and Michigan.

In addition, 33 states – including New York – and the District of Columbia have legalised marijuana for medical purposes.

Cannabis remains illegal under federal law. Under Barack Obama’s administration, the US government largely permitted states to determine how to handle the issue on their own, but under President Donald Trump the justice department has allowed prosecutors to enforce federal law even in states where marijuana is legal.

The approach of Mr Trump's administration has sparked anger in states that have legalised recreational cannabis, with elected officials warning accusing his government of overriding the will of voters.