New York State lawmakers on the verge of introducing an amended version of the MRTA

New York State lawmakers on the verge of introducing an amended version of the MRTA

New York State lawmakers plan to introduce S.854A/A.1248A, an amended version of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (“MRTA”). This legislation championed by Senator Krueger and Assemblywoman Peoples-Stokes since 2013 embodies the principles of marijuana justice and consumer rights.

Once the marijuana arrest capital of the world, New York is poised to become the largest adult-use market in the nation. We are encouraged by the improvements legislators have reportedly incorporated into the bill, and we hope that when passed this legislation will respect the balance between the rights and freedoms of cannabis consumers, and marijuana justice.

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Why New York’s MRTA gets an A- & the CRTA gets a C-

Why New York’s MRTA gets an A- & the CRTA gets a C-

New York State is set to legalize and regulate cannabis for adult-use, and improve our existing medical marijuana and hemp programs by April 1st with the 2020-2021 NYS Budget. But our work isn’t over yet and we need to fight for SMART legalization now more than ever!

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Medical Marijuana - Tell the Senate Health Committee To Vote Yes on the Compassionate Care Act

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New York's Medical Marijuana bill, The Compassionate Care Act, WILL come to a vote by the end of next week.

Editors note: This action alert is from 2014 and no longer active

Now we need to apply the pressure to the WHOLE Senate Health Committee. The sick and dying patients of New York need YOU ! Call ALL of the comm. members and ask them to support medical marijuana. It's easy. All you do is call the number and leave a message with the staff member who answers the phone. This is your chance to participate in Democracy.

Below you will find a list and a simple script you can read off while calling. Share this far and wide! The time for action is now or never! We've never been closer to passing medical marijuana! We need every single call we can get! It will only take 20 minutes to call each of the 17 senators on this list. Call them daily, they need to know this issue matters.

---------------------------- "Hello. My name is (Your name) and I live at (Your Address). I'm calling to urge the senator to support medical marijuana and vote yes on the Compassionate Care Act when it comes to a vote in committee and on the floor. Not another day should pass that a patient has to suffer because of this. Thank you. Hope you have a nice day!"

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 Senate Health Comm. Members.

Senator Party Email Phone Region
Chair: Kemp Hannon R hannon@nysenate.gov 518-455-2200 Garden City
Greg Ball R gball@nysenate.gov (518) 455-3111 Patterson
Hugh Farley R Farley@nysenate.gov (518) 885-1829 Schenectady
Martin J. Golden R golden@nysenate.gov (518) 455-2730 Brooklyn
William J. Larkin, Jr.. R larkin@senate.state.ny.us (518) 455-2770 Cornwall-on-Hudson
Jack Martins R martins@nysenate.gov (518)-455-3265 Nassua County
James L. Seward R seward@nysenate.gov (518) 455-3131 Oneonta
Cathy Young R cyoung@senate.state.ny.us (518) 455-3563 Olena
Velmanette Montgomery D montgome@nysenate.gov (518) 455-3451 Boerum Hill
Ted O'Brien D obrien@nysenate.gov (585) 218-0034 Rochester
Jose R. Peralta D jperalta@nysenate.gov (518) 455-2529 East Elmhurst
Gustavo Richa D grivera@nysenate.gov (718)-933-2034 Bronx
Diane J. Savino IDC savino@senate.state.ny.us (518) 455-2437 Brooklyn, Staten Island
Jose M. Serrano D serrano@senate.state.ny.us (518) 455-2795 East Harlem
Simcha Felder D felder@nysenate.gov (518) 455-2754 Brooklyn
Ruth Hassell-Thompson D hassellt@senate.state.ny.us (518) 455-2061 Bronx
Brad Hoylman D hoylman@nysenate.gov (518) 455-2451 Manhattan

For more information on how to get involved in supporting medical marijuana come to a NORML Meeting 

NY Senator Savino and Assemblymen Gottfried Introduce Medical Marijuana Legislation

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Medical Marijuana same-as bills introduced in both the NY Senate (S.4406) and NY Assembly (A.6357) today. For the past 16 years Medical Marijuana , or MMJ, bills have came and gone in NY, but this year we have a stronger bill than any other in recent history. Bills of previous years were always vague when defining who and what is covered to use medical marijuana, usually saying "severe debilitating or life-threatening condition" this year however we have a much clearer look at what is covered

"...including, but not limited to, Cancer, Glaucoma, positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of  intractable spasiticity, Epilepsy, Cachexia, Wasting Syndrome, Chron's Disease, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Neuropathy, Fribromyalgia, Arthritis, Lupus, and Diabetes, or a condition associated with or a complication of such a condition or its treatment (including but not limited to inability to tolerate food, nausea, vomiting, dysphoria or pian) subject to limitation in regulation of the commissioner."

The biggest change might be that NY will be the second state to allow for-profit business entities in the medical marijuana industry. In the most of the medical states you must be a non-profit corporation or cooperative to own and operate a dispensary, Colorado and soon to be New York are the exceptions.

When passed, New york would be of of the first states to mandate testing on cannabis quality and potency. This is a huge step forward in helping prove the legitimacy of the plant as a medicine and will help secure the health and safety of patients with compromised immune systems especially.

Not entirely new, but these bills also have added protections for patients, caregivers and heath care professionals that few other state's have. A MMJ patient is not to be denied of any medical service or organ transplant due to the fact that they use MMJ. Patients and their caregivers are protected from discrimination by landlords, employers, schools, or in court i.e. custody proceedings.

Coming off the heels of success in Colorado and Washington, NY would add a lot of momentum to the movement if we pass a MMJ bill this session. We don't have much time though, the legislators go home for the session in June giving us just over 2 months to get this passed.  It's up to you, the people, to tell your senator to support the Medical Marijuana bill S. 4406.  You can Click Here to use NORML's Action Center and take 1 minute to email your senator to support MMJ in NY (Note: you don't need to use you 9 digit zip code).

I have the utmost confidence that we will legalize the medicinal use of cannabis this year, but we need your help. Check out how to get involved here.