Cuomo: Legal marijuana in New York not likely this year

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he doesn't believe lawmakers will legalize recreational marijuana this year because the measure doesn't have sufficient support to pass in the state Senate.

Cuomo said that he backs the legalization of marijuana but that the issue remains controversial for many legislators. And he said the recent failure of legalization efforts in New Jersey sapped some momentum in New York.

Lawmakers insist they're not giving up on passing legalization before they adjourn June 19. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat from Yonkers, said lawmakers are working to find compromises.

Despite broad support for legalization, disagreements persist about the regulatory details and whether the bill should include provisions expunging past low-level pot convictions.