CM Williams, Espinal React To Marijuana-Related Revenue Proposals
City Council members Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), Deputy Leader, and Rafael Espinal (D-Bushwick, Brownsville, Cypress Hills, East New York) yesterday reacted to the new proposals for spending incoming revenue that would result from marijuana legalization.
A new report out Wednesday by the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management urges the statewide legalization of recreational marijuana — in order to get more green into mass transit, according to the New York Post. The “weed for rails” proposal cites the Department of Health’s (DOH) July report, stating that legal marijuana sales could generate between $248.1 million and $677.7 million in revenue for the state in the first year alone.
The lawmakers feel the revenue should go toward funding black and brown communities. Williams specifically proposes using the revenue for expunging records as a result of high criminalization in minority neighborhoods.
“The recent calls for what to do with the revenue in that legalized industry are a bit premature and misplaced. When marijuana is finally legalized in New York, the top priority should then become the expunging of records for those whose lives have been ruined by past arrests and convictions. Those same individuals need to then have open access to succeed in this new marketplace. Above any other considerations, revenue from that industry must be used to revitalize the very communities of more color that have been targeted by these unjust policies for too long,” said Williams
“I believe “weed for rails” is misguided. The money from legalizing marijuana should be invested in communities that have been disproportionately targeted by marijuana enforcement. These are the black and brown communities like the one I grew up in and represent who have for so long been targeted, arrested, criminalized and harmed because of minor drug infractions,” said Espinal.
Cumbo To Hosts Town Hall
Majority Leader City Council member Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights) will host a Town Hall next week alongside Speaker Corey Johnson.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding transportation issues, community concerns and quality of life issues.
The event is slated for 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, at Medgar Evers College Preparatory School, at 1186 Carroll Street in Crown Heights.
James, Mosley Become Santa’s Helpers
State Attorney General-elect Letitia James and Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights) are expected to come to Brooklyn’s North Pole next week to celebrate the holiday season alongside the big man himself, Santa Claus.
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and sit on Santa Claus’ lap and give him their Christmas wishlist. The annual event is open and free to the public.
The event is slated for 4 – 8 p.m., Dec. 14, at the Atlantic Terminal Mall in Downtown Brooklyn.
