Long Island Residents Debate Marijuana Legalization

Long Island residents, treatment providers and other interested parties aired their views on marijuana legalization on Monday at the Long Island Marijuana Summit at Seafield Center, an Amityville rehab facility.  The debate about marijuana has renewed throughout New York with the proposition of the Compassionate Care Act, which would permit certified patients to have up to eight ounces of marijuana for medical use.  The bill was introduced by State Senator Diane Savino and Assemblyman Dick Gottfried.  Those present at the debate at Seafield Center included opponents and proponents of the new bill.

Currently the bill is in committee, but it may have an opportunity to pass before the legislature’s summer break, which begins in June.  Currently, 19 states along with the District of Columbia allow access to legal marijuana for medical patients, including neighboring states Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Jersey.  Troy Smit, executive director of the Long Island chapter of National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws said, “Any legislation in New York that helps gain access to medical marijuana for sick patients is something we support.  This bill in particular this year seems to be stronger than in years past.”  Currently, the states of Colorado and Washington are also considering taking steps to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

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