New York agrees to legalise recreational marijuana

New York lawmakers have reached an agreement to legalise the sale of recreational marijuana in the state.

A bill will come before the NY state assembly and state senate next week. At least 14 other US states have already passed laws allowing residents to buy marijuana for recreational and not just medical use.

Previous efforts in New York have failed, but Democrats now hold a veto-proof majority in the state legislature in Albany and made it a priority piece of legislation this year.

Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office estimates that state revenue could be as much as $350m (£254m) annually.