Nassau creates task force to prepare for possibility of legal pot

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran on Thursday announced the formation of a task force to prepare for the possibility of legalized recreational marijuana use in New York.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to make statewide legalization of recreational marijuana a top priority for 2019.

The eight-member Task Force on Marijuana and Regulation includes lawmakers, police and religious and local business leaders, as well as health and human service representatives.

Among them is Jeff Reynolds, of the Family and Children's Association. He points out that in states where the drug is already legal, there's been an increase in fatal car accidents and more minors getting their hands on marijuana-laced products.

While no legislation has been passed yet, Nassau officials say any legalization of recreational marijuana will effect everything from law enforcement procedure to public health protocols and even tax revenue.

Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder says officers will require additional training and that more equipment may also be needed, depending on what the actual legislation is.