This means that criminal penalties have been eliminated for public possession and use of marijuana.
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Instead, unlawful possession of the drug is a violation, which comes with a fine similar to a parking ticket.
The penalty would be $50 for possessing less than one ounce of pot or $200 for one to two ounces.
The new law will also provide a path for some individuals with prior marijuana convictions to have their records expunged.
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Proponents of this law, like New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, said marijuana convictions have disproportionally affected communities of color.
"This law is long overdue, and it is a significant step forward in our efforts to end this repressive cycle and ultimately mend our discriminatory criminal justice process once and for all," Cuomo said in a statement.
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