Big Marijuana has tapped some heavy-hitting Abany lobbyists to leagalize pot in New York for medicinal purposes, according to the New York Post.
At the helm is lobbyist Patricia Lynch, who runs a firm that represents a Colorado-based marijuana manufacturer. She is a former top aide to Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and one of her managing partners, Patrick McCarthy, is former executive director of the state Republican Party and an aide to former Gov. George Pataki.
“We’re going to negotiate this bill with the wind at our backs. There’s tremendous support to legalize medical marijuana in New York,” state Sen. Diane Savino, a Staten Island Democrat, told the Post.
The new push for legalized medicinal pot comes a week after voters in Massachusetts overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana, and recreational marijuana became legalized in Colorado and Washington.
According to the paper, a Siena College poll in June showed 61 percent of New York voters backed medical marijuana to help relieve pain and suffering.
And it’s not just those with medical ailments that would benefit from marijuana, said Savino, who predicts that with licensing and taxing of marijuana growers, dispensaries and sales could generate upwards of $1 billion for New York.
Prescription marijuana is backed by the New York State Medical Society, as well.
But New York law enforcement argues that medical marijuana can be a gateway drug.
“We are now coping with the epidemic of prescription-pill addiction and cannot afford another disaster caused by the highly abused ‘remedy’ pushed by Big Marijuana,” New York City Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan told the Post.
Freedom of the individual. “…over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign”.” — from the essay On Liberty by John Stuart Mill What happened to, "This is a FREE country"? That is what we have been telling the rest of the world for decades. Please, let us live up to it. Lead by example. After spending 5 years in Federal Prison for a marijuana offense, I wrote: Shoulda Robbed a Bank No, it is not a treatise on disproportionate sentences. I wrote about the escapades that led to my incarceration. I admit, I had a great time. No one was injured, no one was killed, firearms were not involved...there were no victims. We were Americans pursuing happiness in our own way. Harming no one...nor their property. That’s my contribution to helping point out just how ludicrous our pot laws truly are. I would be honored by your review.
Here is one of its reviews: 5.0 out of 5 stars... If David Sedaris had written 'Catcher in the Rye'..this would be it, June 30, 2012 Amazon Verified Purchase This review is from: Shoulda Robbed a Bank (Kindle Edition) I have never smoked pot in my life...nor do I ever care to. I read about this book in numerous Huffington Post comments. Thought I would read it because I know nothing about marijuana or the people involved with it. I am ecstatic that I did. Funny, Funny, Funny!!! The chapters are like short stories. Stories about unloading boats with helicopters, close encounters with law enforcement, traveling through the jungles of South America. The chapter about the author's first time smoking marijuana made me feel like I was with him...coughing. All of the characters were just a group of loveable, nice guys and girls. Not what I had been raised to believe...hysterical maniacs high on pot bent on death and mayhem. They were nothing like that. If you have ever read any of David Sedaris' books, and like them...you will love Shoulda Robbed a Bank. And the crazy things happening reminded me of Holden Caufield in 'Catcher in the Rye' and the way he staggered through life. The way the words are put together are like nothing I have ever heard. I am sure I will use many of the sayings found in this book just to dazzle my friends. A terrific read. I love this book.
And for the record, I and almost everyone I know smoke pot. We all have good jobs, and we all work hard. Then we like to go home and relax by smoking pot. Some people have a few beers. Some people do puzzles. Some people post inane comments to Patch. As long as nobody gets hurt, what's the problem?
And Patti, don't you really think that the old "alcohol should be illegal ,too" thing is just worn out. It seems that every time someone comes up with regulating something, the old, "well, alcohol should be illegal, too" then. Get real!!
Those of you who are so afraid of marijuana are those who believe in the old garbage the government put out there like the movie Reefer Madness. That is all propaganda people. Research has shown all of that to be very false. If we want to get the crime out of marijuana we must legalize. It truely is the easiest way to fix those problems as well as a lot of the boarder problems. Also think of all the money wasted with jailing people and court costs. Let's get real people.
Well said, sir...you speak the truth.
I'm sorry I didn't see your comment sooner. Let's take it point by point, shall we? "then by your thinking they should legalize all drugs. After all, then most of you could work your "good" jobs and then come home and get high." Yes, I do believe we should legalize all drugs. You, however, haven't provided any real explanation why they should be illegal, other than that you apparently don't agree with drug use. That's your right, but in order to prevent me from doing something that has no effect on you, you should at least be able to explain why. Can I ask why you put the word "good" in quotes? I am college educated, I have an excellent job that requires real skill, and I support my wife and two children. Yet you seem to think my job isn't "good." Why is that? "if "almost everyone know smokes pot", maybe it's time to look for new acquaintances." My friends and acquaintances who smoke pot include doctors, lawyers, cops, firemen, stock brokers, scientists...what sort of people do YOU hang out with? I'm guessing people who are probably as ignorant and opinionated as you are.
We are forced to buy our drugs from "criminals" (my dealer is selling to put himself through college, but whatever) BECAUSE pot is illegal. If it wasn't illegal, we'd be buying it from decent, law-abiding citizens...possibly even at Pathmark. "There's so much more you could do with your money and time...like maybe helping people in real need instead of yourself!" I'm not sure how this is relevant. Do you really believe that all marijuana smokers are selfish and irresponsible? Where do you get this stuff? "It seems that every time someone comes up with regulating something, the old, "well, alcohol should be illegal, too" then. Get real!!" You are the one who needs to get real. The alcohol comparison is perfectly apt...it's more dangerous than weed, kills more people than weed, causes more suffering and misery than weed...and yet it's legal while weed isn't. And you're ignoring the obvious comparison to Prohibition in the 1920s. We made alcohol illegal...almost immediately, many horrible things happened, and one of them was not that people stopped drinking. You need to grow up and inform yourself.