As the debate over legalizing marijuana in New York continues, Assemblymember Victor Pichardo is voicing his support.

In April, Gov. Andrew Cuomo's new state budget must be adopted. Some lawmakers are hopeful a law to regulate and tax recreational marijuana will be enacted.

"Legalization of marijuana in New York state is going to happen, hopefully, sooner rather than later," said Pichardo. While the legalization has failed to pass so far, Pichardo says there is still optimism.

Pichardo says that while he believes legalization is imminent, he wants to make sure it's done the right way. He says that although some are against the idea, there are others who take a cost-benefit analysis of the impact of the drug itself versus the impact on criminalizing it.

In Brooklyn, Assemblyman Charles Barron isn't necessarily pro-marijuana. He believes the profits will not benefit local communities and urges that children should be educated on marijuana's effects.

However, he says he will support the legislation that keeps a marijuana user from being deemed as a criminal.