ALBANY – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says the state is starting a new chapter in the criminal justice system now that Marijuana is now officially decriminalized.

More than 200,000 Marijuana convictions were sealed part of a new law that went into effect Wednesday.

“For too long communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by laws governing marijuana and have suffered the life-long consequences of an unfair marijuana conviction,” said Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a statement issued Wednesday.

Criminal penalties have been eliminated for public possession of less than two ounces. Instead of going to jail, there is now a $50 fine for anyone caught with less than an ounce of pot.

Over 24,000 people will also no longer have a criminal record.