Find out where N.Y. State Senate candidates stand on medical marijuana

The New York State Senate has stood in the way of a humane and sensible medical marijuana law for several years. While the Assembly has twice voted to protect patients from arrest, two Senate majority leaders have failed to call a vote on the issue. With the election just eight days away, it's time to find out which Senate candidates will be roadblocks to progress and which support protecting patients.

MPP and New Yorkers for Compassionate Care sent out a candidate questionnaire to find out where the Senate candidates stand on this important issue. Of the 109 candidates who were sent surveys, only 14 sent responses!

You can find out whether your state Senate candidates responded and where they stand on the issue using our chart. If your candidates didn't respond, please send them a message asking where they stand on medical marijuana and urging them to support protecting patients. If one of your candidates responded favorably to the survey, please contact the campaign to thank the candidate for his or her support.

Because of the state Senate's inaction, thousands of patients continue to suffer. Some live in fear of arrest, and they are sometimes prosecuted and convicted. Others will not 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 18 New York patients' stories.

You can also find out whether your Assembly member voted for or against Assemblyman Richard Gottfried's compassionate medical marijuana bill.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please forward this alert on to friends and family in New York so that even more voices for compassion can be heard.