Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan 'Open' To Legalizing Medical Marijuana
April 22, 2009
The Staten Island Advance (NY)
As the push to legalize medical marijuana in New York gains momentum in Albany, Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan says he's not against the concept.
"I'm not opposed to the idea," Donovan told the Buffalo News in a report today, pointing out that medication likes methadone and oxycondone have been legalized to treat pain. "I'm open to the idea of seeing studies — and will trust the medical field."
Donovan, president of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York, said the group has not yet taken a formal position on the matter and he personally has not read the entire bill.
Legalizing marijuana for medical purposes appears to have a good shot at passing before lawmakers leave Albany in June. New York would be the 15th state in the U.S. to pass such a law.
The measure has previously passed the state Assembly but has failed to get out of the previously Republican-led Senate. It seems to have better chances now that Democrats control both houses.
Gov. David Paterson is believed to favor the legislation. | 
