Weigh In On Legal Weed For NY At 'Listening Sessions'

NEW YORK — New York State wants to spark a conversation about legalizing pot. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a series of "listening sessions" over the next two months where New Yorkers can sound off about the possibility of setting up a regulated marijuana program.

The series of 15 sessions taking place across the state will start Sept. 5 and hit New York City from Sept. 17 to 26.

"Community input is critical as we work to draft balanced and comprehensive legislation on a regulated marijuana program in New York," Cuomo said in a statement.

A state report Cuomo commissioned earlier this year concluded legalizing weed for adults would ultimately do more good than harm.

The Democratic governor, who is seeking re-election this year, appointed a workgroup in early August to draft legislation to create a regulated marijuana program. New York would become the 10th state to legalize recreational marijuana if such legislation is ultimately passed. Neighboring New Jersey is also moving toward legalization.

New Yorkers can make known whether they think legal pot is a good idea at any of next month's sessions. The governor's office encourages people to register in advance. Information about registration and specific venues for the sessions is available here.

Here's the full schedule of listening sessions, courtesy of the governor's office.

• Wednesday, Sept. 5 - Albany
• Thursday, Sept. 6 - Glens Falls
• Monday, Sept. 17 - Bronx
• Thursday, Sept. 20 - Manhattan
• Monday, Sept. 24 - Queens
• Tuesday, Sept. 25 - Brooklyn
• Wednesday, Sept. 26 - Staten Island
• Thursday, Sept. 27 - Long Island
• Monday, Oct. 1 - Newburgh
• Tuesday, Oct. 2 - Binghamton
• Wednesday, Oct. 3 - Buffalo
• Thursday, Oct. 4 - Rochester
• Tuesday, Oct. 9 - Syracuse
• Wednesday, Oct. 10 - Utica
• Thursday, Oct. 11 - Watertown

(Lead image: Photo from Shutterstock)