First-ever N.Y. Senate committee victory for medical marijuana

For the first time in the 12 years that effective medical marijuana legislation has been introduced in New York, it has passed a Senate committee! The Senate Health Committee voted today to approve S. 4041-A, which is sponsored by Senate Health Committee Chair Tom Duane.

Although we've crossed a major hurdle, it's not time to celebrate yet. There's still hard work to be done and it's still a crime for cancer patients to use their medicine ...

There's less than a month left in the legislative session and the bill still has a long way to go. To pass the Senate, it needs to be approved by additional committees and to receive 32 votes on the Senate floor.

What can you do?

1. Volunteer. What better way to spend a day than out in the sun talking to your fellow New Yorkers about an issue you're passionate about? We're looking for reliable volunteers to generate postcards to senators who have not committed to supporting this compassionate proposal.
   
2. Write your state senator to urge him or her to stand up for the seriously ill.
   
3. Call your state senator's office. Please call your state senator Monday-Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. using our automated system, which uses your address to identify your legislators, gives you their district phone number, and provides you with a space to let us know how your call went.
   
4. Ask your clergy person or physician to speak out on the issue by signing a statement of principle. You can download our one-page information sheet for background on the issue.
   
5. Write a letter to the editor of your local paper. We've provided some talking points and tips here. Your letter will be more likely to be printed if it is in response to a recent story.