Medical Marijuana Ads Premiere in New York

New York Patients Plead With Legislators to Enact a Medical Marijuana Law This Fall

Thousands of New York's seriously ill are counting on their state legislature to enact medical marijuana legislation, sponsored by Assemblyman Richard Gottfried and Sen. Tom Duane, when the legislature next returns for a special session.

Please take a few minutes to watch the following advertisements that patients Joel Peacock of Buffalo and Kevin Smith, MD, of Saugerties appear in. These ads premiered on September 16 and are now running on NBC in New York City and in several key state Senate districts, including in Rochester, Buffalo, Watertown, Yorktown, and Kingston. ABC, Fox, and CBS in New York City all refused to air these appeals for a compassionate bill that 76% of New Yorkers support.

Please ensure that as many New Yorkers as possible view these compelling ads by donating to the ad buy today.

Legislative Summary

The bills, A. 9016 and S. 4041-B, would allow patients with severe, debilitating and life-threatening illnesses to register with the state to relieve their symptoms with marijuana with their doctors' advice, without facing criminal penalties. The registered patients would be allowed to obtain the medical marijuana from organizations licensed and regulated by the state department of health. Similar legislation passed the state Assembly in 2007 and 2008, but it has not previously received a Senate floor vote.

A 2005 Siena Research Institute poll showed that 76% of New York voters support allowing medical marijuana. Both Republicans and Democrats have sponsored and voted for this legislation in New York, making it a true bipartisan effort.

If you are a New Yorker, please write your state senator in support of allowing medical marijuana.  You can also read about more patients with debilitating medical conditions who are  counting on these bills.