governor andrew cuomo Archives

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo Calls for Marijuana to be Legalized

December 17, 2018December 17, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo today called for marijuana to be legalized in his state as part of a “true justice agenda”.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (photo; Reuters).

“Let’s legalize the adult use of recreational marijuana once and for all,” said Cuomo. He said that he plans to push for the measure within 100 days, reports NBC New York. Cuomo didn’t provide a specific timeline for when he believes legalization would become a reality.

Cuomo’s comments marks the first time he’s ever stated support for legalizing marijuana; he shied away from the issue almost entirely during his first two terms (he won reelection last month), and once referred to cannabis as a “gateway drug”. In July he said that the “situation on marijuana is changing”, which was the first indication that he may eventually support legalization as he now says he does.

New York Marijuana Possession Charges Would be Sealed Under Measure Approved by Assembly

February 16, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

With a 95 to 38 vote, New York’s full Assembly has given approval to a bill that would seal the criminal records of those charged with possessing marijuana.

According to government statistics, there have been over 800,000 people arrested in New York for simple cannabis possession in the last 20 years, making the reaches of this measure widespread. Assembly Bill 2142 now moves to the Senate, where its passage would send it to Governor Andrew Cuomo for final consideration.

“I introduced the marijuana sealing bill because drug laws have created a permanent underclass of people unable to find jobs after a conviction,” says Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes, the bill’s primary sponsor. “One of the most damaging issues derived from the war on drugs is that the policies are inherently racist. Communities of color have been devastated by bad drug policies and hyper-criminalization for the last 40 years.”

New York Governor Signs Hemp Bill Into Law

August 22, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

A bill to expand New York’s hemp program was signed into law Friday by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

In December, 2014 Governor Cuomo signed a bill allowing New York’s Department of Agriculture, as well as universities in the state, to cultivate and produce hemp for the purposes of research. The new measure, introduced by Senator Tom O’Mara, expands upon this by allowing for the the transportation and distribution of hemp, and by allowing those outside of the state’s universities and Department of Agriculture to grow hemp, as long as its part of the state’s research program..

New York Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Emergency Access Bill

November 11, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

After months of pressure from medical cannabis advocates and public health officials, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a medical cannabis emergency access bill today that will expedite access to medical cannabis for critically ill patients.

Earlier this year New York’s full legislature gave approval to Assembly Bill 7060 and Senate Bill 5086, which directs the state to establish a program to help critically ill patients obtain emergency access to medical cannabis as soon as logistically possible. The bill was delivered to Governor Cuomo on October 30th, and he had signed on it the last possible day for him to do so.

Medical Cannabis Dispensaries to Open Throughout New York Within 6 Months

July 31, 2015July 31, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

The New York State Department of Health issued licenses today to five organizations giving them the authority to cultivate and distribute cannabis for medical use.

Each of the five organizations will be allowed to open four dispensaries and four cultivate centers, with the dispensaries mandated to be open within six months (putting the deadline at the end of January).

These outlets are possible do to the Compassionate Care Act, which was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo in July of last year.

New York Legislature Passes Medical Cannabis Emergency Access Bill

June 16, 2015June 16, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

By Drug Policy Alliance

ALBANY, NY — Monday night, in an unusual show of bipartisan support, the New York Senate voted 50 to 12 in favor of a bill, sponsored by Senator Joe Griffo, that directs the state to establish a program to help critically ill patients obtain emergency access to medical marijuana as soon as possible.

The Assembly version, sponsored by Assemblyman Dick Gottfried, passed last week by an overwhelming majority (130-18). The bill now goes to Governor Cuomo for his signature or veto.

New York Opens Application Process for Medical Cannabis Producers and Dispensers

April 27, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

New York's State Flag. — New York’s State Flag.

New York’s Department of Health announced it is accepting applications from those wanting to operate organizations that manufacture and dispense medical cannabis in the state.

The announcement comes over 9 months after Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation into law that allows those with certain medical conditions to possess and use cannabis medicines if they receive a recommendation from a physician. The law doesn’t allow patients to smoke cannabis, meaning they’ll be required to consume it through other means such as oils, tinctures, vaporizers and edibles.

New York Department of Health Issues Final Medical Cannabis Regulations

April 2, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

By Drug Policy Alliance

New York State Officials Ignore Patients, Providers and Industry Experts to Instead Pursue One of the Nation’s Most Unworkable Medical Marijuana Programs

ALBANY, NY — Late Tuesday, the New York State Department of Health (DOH) released the final regulations for New York’s medical marijuana program. The announcement followed a period of public comment in which patients, families, experts, and industry professionals submitted more than a thousand letters and emails critiquing the proposed regulations for being too restrictive and unworkable.

New York Governor Signs Hemp Proposal Into Law

December 21, 2014December 21, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo earlier this week signed into law a proposal that legalizes the cultivation and production of hemp for research purposes. The proposal, put forth by Assemblymember Donna Lupardo and Senator Tom O’Mara, passed the state’s House and Senate earlier this year.

Under the new law, New York’s Department of Agriculture, as well as universities in the state, are authorized to cultivate and produce hemp for the purposes of research. With President Obama recently signing a federal spending bill which prohibits the DEA from interfering with state-sanctioned hemp research programs, New York will have some added security as they move forward with implementation of this new law.

New York Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Cannabis

July 7, 2014July 7, 2014 by Anthony Martinelli

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has officially signed the New York Compassionate Care Act into law, a measure legalizing the medical use of cannabis.

Under the new law, those in New York will be allowed to possess and use cannabis for medical purposes if they receive a recommendation from a physician, and subsequently receive a registration card from the State Health Department. Unfortunately smoking cannabis will be prohibited, as Cuomo threatened to veto the proposal otherwise. Vaporizing, however, will be allowed, as will the consumption of cannabis through edibles, lotions, tinctures, oils, etc..