Albany may consider reparations for residents affected by marijuana laws

July 2, 2022
AggregatedNews
Policy & Legal
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ALBANY – A new Common Council proposal calls for revenues from recreational marijuana sales in the city to be used as reparations for communities of color harmed by the war on drugs.

Sixth Ward Councilwoman Gabriella Romero and Tenth Ward Councilman Owusu Anane want to create a nine-member commission to create a series of recommendations for the city and Common Council to consider with the retail sale of marijuana expected to start in the near future. The recommendations, which would not be legally binding, would also recommend who should receive compensation, how much they should receive and what form the compensation takes.

The ordinance is modeled on a similar proposal at the state level that has passed the Assembly.

“I’m hoping to go one step further,” Romero said. “Why not have Albany at the forefront?”

The commission would also be tasked with studying federal, state and local policies that criminalized and disproportionately impacted residents in communities of color who were involved in the sale of marijuana.

Anane said he viewed the future revenues as a way for the city to change the economics of its poorest neighborhoods. While the commission would provide the recommendations, Anane said he could see it suggesting programs that improved small business opportunities and homeownership.

“I think for this city to move forward we have a duty to lift people out of poverty,” he said.

The commission would submit a report within six months of its creation. They would not be paid for their work. [Read More @ The Albany Times union]