update: PASSED the House! Medical mj law passes first hurdle in NY state!

[RainDog]

Last edited Fri May 30, 2014, 04:06 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/nyregion/assembly-backs-use-of-marijuana-for-illnesses.html?_r=0

For the fifth time in seven years, the State Assembly on Tuesday passed a bill legalizing medical marijuana, backing a measure that would far surpass a program Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced this year.

But with less than four weeks left in the legislative session, the prospects for passage in the State Senate remained uncertain.

The bill allows the possession and use of up to two and a half ounces of marijuana by seriously ill patients whom doctors, physician assistants or nurse practitioners have certified. It permits organizations to establish dispensaries to deliver the drug to registered users and their caregivers, part of what advocates call a “seed to sale” system meant to prevent abuse or illegal use.

Katrin Haugh, left, and Carol Thompson, of the Absentee and Petition Office in Anchorage, processed signatures that supported the effort to put marijuana legalization on the ballot.Pivotal Point Is Seen as More States Consider Legalizing MarijuanaFEB. 26, 2014
“There are tens of thousands of New Yorkers with serious, debilitating, life-threatening conditions whose lives could be made more tolerable and longer by enacting this legislation,” said Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried, a Democrat from Manhattan who heads the Health Committee and sponsored the bill.

New Yorkers: PLEASE contact your Senators to support this bill.

here's link for you: http://www.nysenate.gov/
Earlier Post:

http://www.wgrz.com/story/news/health/2014/05/19/new-york-medical-marijuana/9304733/

ALBANY A bill to legalize medical marijuana in New York narrowly survived its first major hurdle Tuesday, keeping alive the possibility of a full Senate vote.

The legislation now heads to the Senate Finance Committee, where its fate remains uncertain.

"This is step one. It's a huge victory," said Sen. Diane Savino, D-Staten Island, the bill's sponsor. "It's historic for all of us, but now we go on to the next step. We are by no means at the end of the line yet, so we have to work doubly hard."

A crowd of about 50 advocates crammed into a cramped, sweaty conference room on the Capitol's first floor for the vote. As the committee clerk read the results, the crowd erupted into cheers.

The only Democrat to vote against the bill was Sen. Simcha Felder, a Democrat who caucuses with the GOP (aka DINO).

William Larkin, a Republican, crossed party lines to pass the bill. Thank you, Senator Larkin!

(the link goes to Larkin's page - you can thank him yourself.)

Sen. Bill Larkin on medical marijuana: "I voted my conscience"

Progress!