New York On Its Way Towards Legalizing Medical Marijuana Use
New York On Its Way Towards Legalizing Medical Marijuana Use
New York is on its way to becoming the 22nd state plus DC to legalize medical marijuana with the passage of the Compassionate Care Act (A. 6357-B/Gottfried) that passed with a bipartisan vote of 91-34.
The Democratic-led state Assembly passed the bill on 5/20/14 that would legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
This passing of the bill puts increasing pressure on the Senate to pass it before the session concludes at the end of June.
Since being approved by the Assembly, the bill passed its first hurdle towards becoming law by being passed by the Senate health committee.
The Senate Health Committee passed the measure S. S 4406B (Savino) and the bill now awaits a vote in the Senate Finance Committee.
The Compassionate Care Act looks like it is likely to pass the Republican-led finance committee:
“Last week, Finance Committee Chair John DeFrancisco told the press he would allow a vote on the Compassionate Care Act, but only if Senate Leadership agrees to it.” link
After the bill is approved by the finance committee both the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate have to allow it to go to a floor to be voted on.
Democratic Senator Diane Savino believes she has the votes needed to pass in the finance committee and also in the Senate.
It looks like the bill is likely to pass the Senate.
“Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos has warmed up to the idea, saying he supports medical marijuana use in oil form, but has trepidation about smoking the drug.”
“Sen. Jeff Klein, who leads a faction of Democrats who control the Senate with Republicans, is a co-sponsor of the bill.” link
It looks like New York is about to be covered in a haze of smoke, and not from chemtrails.
The bill has wide support from healthcare providers and dozens of organizations, such as the New York Academy of Medicine, Epilepsy Foundation, New York State Breast Cancer Network, New York State Nurses Association, Collaborative for Palliative Care, GMHC, New York State Pharmacists Society, and the Hospice and Palliative Care Association of New York.
“We join advocates from across New York state in expressing our deepest gratitude to the New York State Assembly, which recognizes the critical importance of the Compassionate Care Act,” said Holly Anderson, executive director of the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester.”
Tags: cannabis, Cannabis Can Cure Cancer, cannabis heals, marijuana
