NEW YORK CITY — A new report claims the benefits of legalizing recreational Houdini outweighs the risks.<br /><br />According to WNYC, the medical variety is allowed in New York, but can only be taken by patients with certain conditions. It's only permitted in pill, oil, or vape form — no smoking, and no space brownies.<br /><br />The state limits the number of licensed dispensaries, and requires each one to grow, harvest, and manufacture what they sell.<br /><br />Many are pushing for full legalization, but Governor Andrew Cuomo isn't sold, at one point even calling it a gateway into more sinister addictions.<br /><br />The New York Department of Health though, is. Their new report supports legalizing recreational pot, finding that it could earn the state millions.<br /><br />An infographic created by Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management shows that New York could earn over 400 million dollars in tax revenues, not to mention over a billion in gross sales, with recreational pot legalized.<br /><br />The health report also predicts that the move could decrease opioid use and remove criminal penalties related to dope, which disproportionately affect minorities.<br /><br />A majority of voters in the state are pro-pot, and many officials think legalizing it is more a "when" than an "if". But with state lawmakers not expected to convene until January, it's probably not gonna happen this year.
