Attorney Anthony Posada says legalizing the sale of marijuana in New York is a step toward helping New Yorkers, particularly in communities of color, who’ve been targeted for marijuana possession. 

He says the passage of the new bill would mean a clean record for New Yorkers convicted on marijuana charges. 

The legislation would allow recreational marijuana sales for adults over 21 years old without the current fear of civil infraction. 

New York is estimated to gain more than $350 million in sales taxes. Posada says the new bill would require 40% revenue to go toward education, 20% to drug treatment, with the remaining 40% to communities of color. 

New York would join 14 other states set to legalize marijuana. 

Local advocates say allowing the legal use of cannabis for more than just medicinal purposes has been long overdue. 

Posada is a supervising attorney at the Legal Aid Society. He says when he was 17 years old, he was arrested on marijuana charges that were dismissed after a year. 

Advocates say that if approved, New York could see its first legal marijuana sales sometime next year.