New York is a pretty big place; but at the top, are these very influencial people deciding the fate of marijuana in YOUR state. The list represents the most powerful agencies and people involved in effective (or ineffective) marijuana policy change in New York right now. This list is updated dynamically as regulators act for better or worse. Let your voice be heard!
Year after year, as head of the State Assembly, Speaker Silver has brought sensible medical marijuana legislation to the floor, where it has consistently been approved.
While calling Colorado-style marijuana legalization a "nonstarter," Gov. Cuomo has at least taken initiative to implement a limited medical marijuana program via executive order and has signaled openness to more robust legislation to give patients safe access to marijuana.
A longtime ardent "drug warrior" who has rarely seen a drug penalty he didn't like, Sen. Schumer recently indicated he recognizes that legalization is happening and there's very little he can do to stop it. When asked about the new laws in Colorado and Washington, he said, "I think having the states experiment is a good idea."
While not a leader on the marijuana issue one way or the other, she unfortunately voted against stopping DEA raids of state-legal medical marijuana providers when she was in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008.
For a number of years, Majority Leader Skelos has refused to bring Assembly-passed medical marijuana legislation to the floor for a vote. He did, however, recently signal that he would consider allowing a vote in light of increasing support for the issue among members of his Republican caucus.
Please add your voice in support of a proposal by State Senator Liz Krueger that would replace the failed system of marijuana prohibition with an effective system of regulation and control. The prohibition of marijuana has failed New Yorkers. Beyond being obviously ineffective, keeping marijuana illegal saddles thousands of our fellow citizens with life-damaging criminal records. It distracts our police from stopping and solving real crimes. It keeps those looking to use it for medicinal reasons from having free and safe access. Do something!
