N.Y.: More time to ask your state legislators to co-sponsor medical marijuana bills

We wrote you two weeks ago to let you know that Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried and Senate Health Committee Chair Tom Duane were about to introduce medical marijuana bills. Our champions have decided to slightly delay introduction, which gives compassionate New Yorkers more time to ask their legislators to take a stand for the seriously ill by co-sponsoring the bill.

Please take a few moments to ask your state legislators to add their names as co-sponsors today. It will only take few minutes to send a pre-written letter through our automated system, but your e-mails will have a tremendous effect.

In the past two years, the Assembly passed Asm. Gottfried's compassionate medical marijuana bills. But the previous Senate majority leaders, Joe Bruno (R-Rensselaer County) and Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), refused to bring medical marijuana bills to a Senate vote. This year, the New York Senate has new leadership, and we need to show legislators how important this issue is to New Yorkers.

This will be the first time the Senate has considered a bill sponsored by a member of the majority party that is identical to the Assembly's bill. That means this might also be the first time your senator gives this issue serious consideration. As your senator decides what to do, it's crucial that he or she know that his or her constituents don't believe the seriously ill should be arrested for the doctor-recommended medical use of marijuana.

So please write your state legislators today. Then ask your friends and family to do the same. Please be sure to let us know if you receive a response. If you are a patient with a serious medical condition who could benefit from medical marijuana or are a supportive medical professional, please e-mail NMamber@mpp.org to get involved.

Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. With your help, this can be the year that New York stops the cruel and senseless policy of arresting the seriously ill.