Cuomo Unveils Plan To Make NY 11th State To Legalize Pot

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York would become the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana for adults under a proposal unveiled Tuesday by Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The measure would permit personal use as well as retail sales of the drug. Marijuana taxes would raise an estimated $300 million a year, Cuomo said. Cities and counties could prohibit retail pot shops within their boundaries if they choose.

The proposal was the most notable among several big ideas floated by Cuomo during his annual State of the State address on Tuesday, including new congestion tolls in Manhattan and a statewide ban on plastic bags.

"The time for talking is over," Cuomo said in the speech. "It is the time for doing."

Legalizing marijuana has broad support in the Democrat-controlled Senate and Assembly. Cuomo wants to include his plan in the state budget, which lawmakers hope to approve by April 1.