NY State Association of County Health Officials and 1,100 NY doctors support medical marijuana
Tremendous support has continued to build behind medical marijuana bill A. 5796 over the past few weeks. On June 2, the Albany City Council passed a supportive resolution by a vote of 8-5. Similar council resolutions are pending in New York City and in Westchester County.
On June 5, the New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYACHO), which represents all 58 local health departments, stated that it "strongly supports A. 5796 and urges the members of the Assembly to support passage of this bill." NYACHO also stated, "Marijuana has proven to be effective in the treatment of people with HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and those suffering from severe pain and nausea."
And on June 6, MPP released a list of more than 1,100 doctors who publicly support medical marijuana, which we published as an ad in the Legislative Gazette on June 9 for all of New York's legislators to see.
To what end will this momentum lead? If A. 5796 passes the Assembly floor this year, then in 2004 we can skip the entire Assembly committee process. However, in order for this to happen, it is vital to have the blessing of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-64th Assembly District).
Will you take five minutes to keep the momentum building and get the speaker's support?
First, please visit Take Action now to send a pre-written letter to Speaker Silver that asks him to guide A. 5796 through the committee process. After you choose your favorite pre-written letter and type in your address, our site will automatically e-mail your letter to Speaker Silver … all with the click of a few buttons. The whole process takes less than two minutes, but it makes a world of difference.
Second, please call Speaker Silver at 518-455-3791 and tell him:
"My name is . I live at . I support A. 5796 and believe that medical marijuana patients should be allowed to use the medicine that their doctors recommend. Please support this bill and help it reach the Assembly floor. A. 5796 already has significant support from the medical community—more than 1,100 New York doctors, the New York State Association of County Health Officials, and the New York Nurses Association support it. Thank you."
If Speaker Silver is not available to take your phone call, please leave the above message with either his assistant or his answering service.
Tomorrow, June 11, the New York Assembly Codes Committee will vote on medical marijuana bill A. 5796. If A. 5796 passes the Codes Committee, it will be referred to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. Without the support of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-64th Assembly District), the Ways and Means Committee will not have the opportunity to vote on the bill.
Thank you for supporting the Marijuana Policy Project. We will continue to keep you updated as momentum continues to build behind this medical marijuana legislation. Please pass this on to other New Yorkers so that even more people can call out for reform.
| 
