Assembly Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

By an unofficial vote of 95-38, the medical marijuana bill was passed by the New York State assembly, the Gannett Journal reported.   

Republican Assemblyman Steve Katz finally reversed his position on the bill a year after voting against it. However, Senate Co-Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, opposes the measure, as well as Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who would have to give it final approval.  

So it appears unlikely the bill will be signed into law this year.   

Katz changed his mind in part because of a debilitating spinal condition his mother is currently dealing with, he said. Various pain killers “in massive doses” have not alleviated her pain, Katz said.

He suggested marijuana could help. “To be perfectly clear, this bill will not legalize the type of behavior one would imagine in a 'Cheech and Chong' movie,” Katz said.

“Rather, this bill takes responsible steps in helping those that are clearly in need.”

Correction 6/4/13, 4:15 p.m.: An earlier version of this story states the bill has passed in the State Senate. That is incorrect. It has passed only in the Assembly.