Marijuana On the Brink of Legalization in New York
The heated debate over legalizing marijuana still polarizes the country. While supporters fight to decriminalize cannabis, citing its associations with institutional racism, others brandish the plant as a gateway to more dangerous substances. But for New York, legalization looks promising.
On #420, some supporters used their celebrity to advocate for nationwide legalization via social media. Many newsrooms dedicated coverage to the marijuana issue, some focusing on social injustices associated with the plant while others honed in on the politics. Those who opposed marijuana also spoke out online touting religion and food as substitutions to celebrating #420. Some social media posters who oppose the legalization of marijuana cited religion and food as options to marijuana. But the once popular #GlazeItDongBlazeIt! is quickly fading.
The touchy topic has become the butt, (pun intended) of some political campaigns. Most notably the race for New York State governor where the incumbent faces a celebrity, Cynthia Nixon, best known for her role in Sex in the City.
In New York, marijuana is legal for medicinal purposes only, but lawmakers appear to be on the brink of decriminalizing the plant, likely to the extent of legalization.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhkL2bThKjB/?taken-by=marijuana
Los Angeles celebrities toke for sport, but a casual interaction with the plant could can have a different result for those living in New York.
On #420day, take a moment to reflect on Bernard Noble, a man who was sentenced to 13 years of hard labor for carrying two joints worth of weed.
After serving 7 years in prison, he was released last week. https://t.co/V7xm2logeX
— The Marshall Project (@MarshallProj) April 20, 2018
Public support for legalizing marijuana continues to climb while states are moving ahead. But in many other states, arrests are actually going up. https://t.co/MuqRq61vrh
— The Intercept (@theintercept) April 22, 2018
Decriminalize Decriminalize Decriminalize… Happy 420 and all that but until we have restorative justice, wiping records and taking people out of lock up, then it’s all empty. Peace. Back to work…
— Immortal Technique (@ImmortalTech) April 20, 2018
Free the people. Make it legal. #420Day
— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) April 20, 2018
Northern border states are leading the movement to legalize marijuana, with California at the helm. Here’s some data on who’s toking and how fast the industry is growing.
Welcome to the United States of Weed-America #420day pic.twitter.com/myyUL09Snr
— VICE News (@VICENews) April 20, 2018
Hey, bud: It's #420day. https://t.co/fLPiyF2EpD pic.twitter.com/szHQOnwhAy
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) April 20, 2018
But the burgeoning industry still receives some pushback, both from lawmakers and U.S. residents who are as vocal as the industry’s supporters. The movement spawned its own hashtag – #GlazeItDontBlazeIt
Happy #420Day! Please remember to #GlazeItDontBlazeIt! pic.twitter.com/qJkTYDFf9d
— Iowa State University Police Department (@ISUPD) April 20, 2018
Some of ya are celebrating April 20…well, we're not judging, just saying#GlazeItDontBlazeIt and check out these 5 DOUGHNUT joints (see what we did there) that @MaxwellsHouse found for you to grub at!!!
🍩 https://t.co/goK45UgfNc pic.twitter.com/bSJRsifYZ7
— Z100 New York (@Z100NewYork) April 21, 2018
How to properly celebrate 4/20. #420Day pic.twitter.com/aEJDPbkiRb
— Caiden Cowger (@CaidenCowger) April 21, 2018
On the legislative side, many are crediting Cynthia Nixon for the most recent push to legalize marijuana. Nixon is looking to unseat Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Since her announcement, the candidate has campaigned on a set of progressive policies, including the legalization of marijuana. Some say Nixon is forcing the governor to respond with equal or more progressive legislation. On the heels of her Aprill 11
On the heels of her Aprill 11 video calling for the state to legalize marijuana, Cuomo began championing the idea.
#Cannabis #NewYork With nothing else good to say, #Cuomo says that legalization (revenues coming therefrom) is a done-deal https://t.co/jT43khrBbG https://t.co/30EPX01VPZ
— David D. Tawil (@DavidDTawil) April 13, 2018
As of #420, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is still not on board with the legalization of marijuana as told to Brian Lehrer during the weekly Ask the Mayor segment on WNYC. (The Mayor’s marijuana talk is 30 minutes)
A “no, I’m not,” from the @NYCMayor when asked by @BrianLehrer on whether or not he’s on board with the legalization of marijuana.
— Kadia Goba (@kadiagoba) April 20, 2018
However, recent federal support could bring about a nationwide marijuana legalization campaign, including U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York.
The time has come to decriminalize marijuana. My thinking – as well as the general population’s views – on the issue has evolved, and so I believe there’s no better time than the present to get this done. pic.twitter.com/EIHgsI8j6C
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) April 20, 2018
I’m joining the board of #AcreageHoldings because my thinking on cannabis has evolved. I’m convinced de-scheduling the drug is needed so we can do research, help our veterans, and reverse the opioid epidemic ravaging our communities. @AcreageCannabis https://t.co/f5i9KcQD0W
— John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) April 11, 2018
Should Texans be allowed to possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use? To vote, tweet #Yes for Yes, #No for No
— NBC DFW (@NBCDFW) April 20, 2018
On #420 New York City first high-end medical dispensary on 5th Ave. in Manhattan. Several politicians were present.
https://twitter.com/the_MedMen/status/987034934299607040
https://twitter.com/jfberke/status/987413523058843648
