Covid-19 Crisis Could Mean Delay for Cannabis Legalization in Some States

As New York and other states battle to stem the spread and effects of Covid-19, the measures previously introduced to legalize marijuana in those states could be in danger. As detailed in a post on Marijuana Business Daily, cannabis legalization efforts, especially in several key East Coast states, could be set back in favor of focusing on coronavirus crisis efforts. States considering both medical and recreational cannabis votes could be affected.

Some states facing uncertainty in their marijuana legalization efforts include New York, Ohio, Vermont, and Nebraska, where a medical cannabis petition drive has been suspended due to coronavirus fears. In New York, for example, while Gov. Andrew Cuomo has stated that cannabis legalization is still a high priority for him, other key legislators have indicated that legalization discussions may need to be postponed while the state government deals with Covid-19 issues.