N.Y.: Legislature to reconvene next week -- put medical marijuana on the agenda

Next Tuesday, the New York legislature is expected to come back and do the work of the people. We want to make sure that when the Senate returns we get a vote on our medical marijuana bill, which would remove state criminal sanctions for seriously ill patients using marijuana on their doctors' recommendations.

Please call your senator to ask him or her to commit to supporting this compassionate medical marijuana legislation. Please also call Senate Majority Conference Leader John Sampson (D-Brooklyn) and ask him to make sure S. 4041-B gets a vote when the Senate comes back for its 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. 

Finally, please e-mail your senator to encourage her or him to support S. 4041-B when it comes up for a vote. Then ask your friends and family to do the same. 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.

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.

If you are a patient, 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.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. Please also pass this message on to your friends and family so that they too can speak out to protect patients who could benefit from medical marijuana. With your help, this can be the year that New York stops the cruel and senseless policy of arresting the seriously ill.