NEW YORK 1: Governor Andrew Cuomo does not want there to be any confusion. His decision to sign a bill allowing for medical marijuana in New York is not intended to pave the way for the drug’s general legalization in the Empire State.
“I am against legalizing marijuana. And that’s not what this is. This is medical marijuana,” Cuomo said. “So no smoking, only through a prescription, highly regulated, only for a very descriptive set of conditions.”
The bill has tighter controls than in many other states, controls that have rankled some advocates. The legislation expires in seven years, and only New Yorkers with serious medical conditions, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, will be eligible to get the drug. No one will be allowed to smoke it… (more)
