Report: Cuomo to legalize medical marijuana in N.Y. Joseph Spector, Gannett 7:35 p.m. EST January 4, 2014 The governor will make the announcement during his State of the State address on Wednesday, the New York Times reported.
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MORE ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will announce plans to legalize medical marijuana through an executive order, according to a published report Saturday.
Cuomo is expected to legalize medical marijuana on a limited basis at 20 hospitals for specific conditions, the New York Times reported Saturday evening. Cuomo will make the announcement during his State of the State address on Wednesday, the newspaper said, citing unnamed state officials.
The move would be a shift for Cuomo, who is up for re-election in November. As recently as April, he voiced opposition to the idea, questioning whether it could be properly regulated. But he also has said that he would keep an open mind on the issue, saying it is an "evolving one."
"I do not support medical marijuana. I understand the pros and cons. I understand the argument," the Democratic governor told reporters then. "We are looking at it, but at this point, I don't support medical marijuana."
Twenty states have legalized medical marijuana, and Colorado on Wednesday began allowing recreational marijuana use.
There was no immediate comment from Cuomo's office on the report.
The legalization of medical marijuana has repeatedly passed the Democratic-led Assembly, but has failed in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Democratic state Sen. Diane Savino said Saturday she was aware that Cuomo was expected to take a pro-medical marijuana stance in his address. She hailed his change in position.
"I think under his leadership, we can probably have the best, most-regulated, tightest-controlled system in the nation that provides real help for patients," she said.
The Times reported Cuomo is expected to use a provision in the public health law that allows the state health commissioner to approve controlled substances for patients with certain diseases.
THE SAME DUMBA$$ WHO MAKES HEALTHCARE WORKERS WEAR MASKS IF THEY DON'T GET THE FLU SHOT....stupid idiots..
State Conservative Party chairman Mike Long knocked Cuomo's stance, saying he should focus on the economy and the weak growth in the state's population.
"Instead of dealing with social issues that appeal to his liberal base, he would be best doing all New Yorkers a favor and get New York back on track," Long said Saturday.
Spector reports for the Gannett Albany (N.Y.) Bureau
PLAYING THE VIG FOR THE VOTE...AND THE SHEOPLE WILL FOLLOW....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Not just the money, Lib. I saw a man on television, connected with the schools in some way, and he stated that he believes Cuomo is bringing up the weed thing as a distraction from the Common Core controversy. He could be right. He's a brave man, the governor does not like any opposition and is VERY vindictive. Weed, like gambling, is bad, unless our government gets a big cut to waste on each other. Common Core is bad, but by selling out New York's kids (except theirs), the politicians get to keep our tax dollars that they would have had to blow on education, to spend on themselves.
The government is attempting to keep the inflated government war on pot prices by allowing limited regulated sales.
Pot should be allowed to be grown and distributed amongst friends and families for free.
The government just found a new way to profit by not allowing total legalization.
Their only interest is in the money.
The rest is bullsshit.
While I agree with everything you wrote in theory, we all know that isn't going to happen any time soon. This is a small step, and a good one. What's happening in Colorado will keep tons of innocent people from being arrested, that to me is worth a silly regulated system. Take what you can get
While I agree with everything you wrote in theory, we all know that isn't going to happen any time soon. This is a small step, and a good one. What's happening in Colorado will keep tons of innocent people from being arrested, that to me is worth a silly regulated system. Take what you can get
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....what color is the sky in your world...?
regulating alcohol has NOT kept innocent people from being arrested....they just change the legislation/regulation to 'fit' all the round pegs into the square holes.....$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
you're very optimistic
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
After a passionate debate, the New Hampshire House of Representatives endorsed a bill Wednesday that would legalize marijuana in the state.
The vote was a nail-biter, with closely divided legislators initially voting against legalization 170-168 before choosing to vote again, the second time approving legalizing pot with 170 votes.
The bill, HB 492, would decriminalize possession of one ounce of marijuana by adults age 21 or older and allow residents to grow up to six plants. State-licensed stores would be authorized to sell marijuana.
After premliminarily endorsing the measure, lawmakers referred it to a second House committee, the Ways and Means Committee, for further refinement.
"In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, brave, hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, however, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a Patriot."