Medical marijuana bill on the move in New York

New York came a step closer to ending the prosecution of the gravely ill today. More than three-quarters of the Assembly Health Committee voted for A.B. 8265, sponsored by Assem. Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan). In a 17-5 vote, the committee sent the bill to the Assembly Codes Committee, which approved a similar bill in a 15-1 vote last year.

While it's heartening to see that your efforts are working, there is still a great deal more to be done … and less than a month to do it. The Senate bill—S.B. 5040—has not begun to move, and no committee votes are scheduled. And Gov. George Pataki's (R) only comments about the bill have been hesitant and negative. With your help, we can give this legislation the jump start it needs. Please, e-mail Karen@mpp.org to volunteer to build the grassroots momentum that will turn these bills into law.

If you don't have time to volunteer, there's plenty you can do from the comfort of your home. We need you to:

1. E-mail Gov. Pataki. You can use our automated system to urge the governor to show compassion toward the seriously ill. The whole process will take only a few moments, but we know from experience that it can make a world of difference.
2. E-mail your legislators. If you haven't done so yet, please make sure your legislators know where you stand on the issue. There is a common perception that medical marijuana legislation is far less popular than it really is. A 2004 Zogby poll found that although 69% of Rhode Island voters support medical marijuana, only 27% think that the majority of voters support the issue. With your help, we can make sure legislators hold no illusions about where the public stands on this compassionate issue.
3. Write a letter-to-the-editor. The editorial pages are among the most-read sections of newspapers. Please, make sure that readers see at least one plea to stop the heartless criminalization of AIDS, cancer, and MS patients.
4. Call your senator. This is the first year New York has had a majority-party medical marijuana bill in the Senate. And Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) has said that he won't call the Assembly bill to a vote until a similar bill passes the Senate. Please call your senator to politely impress upon him or her how important S.B. 5040 is, and how important it is that it moves. You can click here to find your senator's name and contact information.
5. Pass this on to your friends and family members in New York, so that they, too, can stand up for the seriously ill.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. With your help, this could be the last year that New York criminalizes MS, cancer, and AIDS patients for relieving their suffering.