Legislature likely to come back again -- we want a vote on medical marijuana
Last update: November 11, 2009
This year started out as a very exciting year for New York's medical marijuana legislation, but a Senate leadership struggle kept compassionate medical marijuana legislation in limbo for months. The New York legislature returned briefly on November 10, but did not vote on our bill or any other major legislation. We expect that the legislature will return again this fall, and we must do everything we can to make sure we get a vote at that time on our medical marijuana bill, which would remove state criminal sanctions for seriously ill patients using marijuana on their doctors' recommendations.
Earlier this year, New York's medical marijuana legislation was modified to garner support from senators of both parties. The twin bills, A. 9016 and S. 4041-B, are sponsored by Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) and Senate Health Committee Chair Tom Duane (D-Manhattan). Senate Republicans who are open to allowing medical marijuana have long opposed allowing patients and designated caregivers to grow small amounts of marijuana. The bill would instead allow for safe access by allowing state-registered regulated entities to dispense medical marijuana to qualified patients. We expect that these changes will attract Republican support.
Please take action and call Senate Majority Conference Leader John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) and ask him to make sure S. 4041-B gets a vote when the Senate returns for special session. This year is the first that a medical marijuana bill has passed out of a Senate committee, and it is crucial that senators hear that their constituents want it to be a priority this year.
Please write your state senator and urge him or her to support the swift enactment of medical marijuana legislation.
We have been working all year to make this happen, and time is running short. It is crucial that senators hear that their constituents want it to be a priority in the upcoming special session. If you are someone with a personal story to tell regarding medical marijuana, please edit our letters and include it in your e-mail. You can see how (and if) your state senator responded to our candidate questionnaire on medical marijuana issues.
Even among the most conservative New Yorkers, there is strong support for protecting patients. There is no reason for the Senate not to act. In 2007, a Mason-Dixon poll found that 55% of Conservative Party voters favor removing criminal sanctions for doctor-recommended medical marijuana patients. The poll also found support in six state senate districts across the state, ranging from 61-76%. In 2009, another Mason-Dixon poll found support ranging from 65-77% in three upstate state senate districts represented by moderate Republicans.
Please also urge other compassionate New Yorkers both to write their state senators and to sign up for MPP's free legislative alerts.
Patient Testimonials
Because of the state Senate's inaction last year, thousands of patients continue to suffer. Some live in fear of arrest, and are sometimes prosecuted and convicted. Others are too fearful or law-abiding to break state law and suffer needlessly because the medicine they know would work best is not allowed in their state.
You can read and, in some cases, watch 17 patients' stories.
Are you a patient?
If you are a patient with a serious medical condition who could benefit from medical marijuana, a loved one, a medical professional, or a member of law enforcement or clergy who might be interested in speaking out, please contact us at state@mpp.org to see how you can be of special help in passing this legislation. Please include your nine-digit ZIP code so we can identify your legislators, and please share your connection with medical marijuana.
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