Identical medical marijuana bills introduced in Assembly and Senate
On April 21, Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried and Senate Health Committee Chair Tom Duane joined MPP's lobbyist Vince Marrone and two patients for a very successful press conference on the introduction of their identical medical marijuana bills, A. 7542 and S. 4041-A, in Albany. This is 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.
Please write your state senator and urge him or her to support the swift enactment of medical marijuana legislation.
You can see how (and if) your state senator responded to our candidate questionnaire on medical marijuana issues. The twin bills have a real chance of becoming law this year, but in order for that to happen it is crucial that senators realize this is an issue their constituents support. The Assembly bill has 49 co-sponsors and has already passed out of the Health Committee. The Senate bill has 14 co-sponsors.
The state Assembly passed compassionate medical marijuana legislation twice — in June 2007 and again in June 2008. But the Senate majority leaders at the time — first Joe Bruno (R-Rensselaer County), then Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Center) — failed to call a vote in the Senate.
In the elections on November 4, 2008, two Senate seats shifted from Republicans to Democrats and control of the chamber shifted to the Democrats, who overwhelmingly support the bill.
Please also urge other compassionate New Yorkers both to write their state senators and to sign up for MPP's free legislative alerts.
Patient Testimonials
Because of the state Senate's inaction last year, thousands of patients continue to suffer. Some live in fear of arrest, and are sometimes prosecuted and convicted. Others are too fearful or law-abiding to break state law and suffer needlessly because the medicine they know would work best is not allowed in their state.
You can read and, in some cases, watch 17 patients' stories.
Are you a patient?
If you are a patient with a serious medical condition who could benefit from medical marijuana, or a supportive medical professional, please e-mail state@mpp.org to get involved. Please include your address or nine-digit ZIP code so we can determine who your state senator is.
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