Pubdate: Mon, 02 Jun 2014
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2014 The New York Times Company
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Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298

A VOTE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

The New York State Assembly easily approved a law legalizing medical 
marijuana last Tuesday, and there appear to be enough votes to pass 
similar legislation in the State Senate if that chamber's leaders 
agree to allow a vote. They ought to do so before the legislative 
session ends on June 19. The bills would make the drug available, 
under tight regulation, to patients who, in many cases, do not get 
relief from other medications.

The Assembly bill, passed on a 91-to-34 vote, would allow the 
possession and use of up to two and a half ounces of marijuana by 
patients certified as seriously ill. It would permit dispensaries to 
deliver the drug to registered users and their caregivers in a system 
designed to prevent abuse or illegal uses of the drug.

A Senate version of the measure, sponsored by Diane Savino, a Staten 
Island Democrat, was recently approved by the Senate Health 
Committee. It bans homegrown marijuana and allows up to 20 
manufacturers to grow marijuana indoors under tight security to 
prevent diversion to illegal uses. It lists 20 specific conditions, 
including cancer and AIDS, that would be eligible for treatment with 
medical marijuana, and it requires that prescriptions be written by 
doctors, physician assistants or nurse practitioners who certify that 
the patient has a serious condition, will be under their care and 
will likely benefit from medical marijuana. It also prohibits the 
smoking of medical marijuana by anyone under 21, although the drug 
could be prescribed to younger patients in other forms, such as 
edible products infused with marijuana.

Critics of the bills have expressed concern that smoking marijuana, 
which has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, may 
carry health hazards. Some have also suggested that the Legislature 
wait for the results of a more limited pilot program announced by 
Gov. Andrew Cuomo in January. That plan would restrict distribution 
to 20 hospitals and use strains of marijuana that might not be best 
for many patients.

The next hurdle is the Senate Finance Committee, where prospects are 
uncertain. Ms. Savino says 39 senators have told her they will vote 
for her bill if it reaches the floor, more than the 32 votes needed 
for passage. The bill has wide support from medical groups and 
patient advocates, and polls show that a large majority of New 
Yorkers support medical marijuana. It is time for Senate leaders to 
allow a vote.
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