Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics dozens of progressive organizations, faith-based groups and labor unions March 19, endorsed the legalization of cannabis in New York as advocates make a final push to win passage of the bill. The measure has the backing of labor unions 1199SEIU and 32BJ as well as the NAACP New York Conference. Lawmakers are reportedly close to reaching an agreement on a bill that would allow for the sale of legal cannabis products in the state, and allow residents to grow a limited number of marijuana plants in their homes, as well. The groups said in a statement, “Any legalization effort that purports to be responsive to the devastation of the marijuana arrest crusade in New York must center social equity and direct tax revenue from sales toward the communities that are still reeling from decades of biased enforcement, which the governor has recognized. And legislation must include specific language to resolve the devastating collateral consequences of marijuana criminalization in the fields of housing, employment, child welfare, and immigration.” The state's district attorneys remain opposed to legalization, as well as groups like the New York State PTA. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.