Cuomo to Legalize Medical Marijuana in NY

Cuomo to Legalize Medical Marijuana in NY

by William Bigelow 5 Jan 2014, 3:17 AM PDT

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/01/04/Cuomo-to-Legalize-Medical-Marijuana-in-NY

Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York has reversed his long-standing opposition to legalizing marijuana. Cuomo is bypassing the legislature, where the Senate has blocked legalizing medical marijuana, and plans to use an executive action that would allow limited use marijuana for patients with cancer, glaucoma, or other diseases that the New York State Department of Health deems appropriate for the drug. In 2013 Cuomo said he backed the decriminalization of open view possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana, but said he was opposed to medical marijuana.

The avenue Cuomo plans to take is to use a provision in a law called the Antonio G. Olivieri Controlled Substance Therapeutic Research Program, which allows for the use of controlled substances for “cancer patients, glaucoma patients, and patients afflicted with other diseases as such diseases are approved by the commissioner.”

Olivieri, a New York City councilman and state assemblyman, died in 1980 at age 39 from a brain tumor and used marijuana to help him with chemotherapy.

Another reason Cuomo may have shifted his position is to boost the economy of his state; marijuana became legal in Colorado on January 1, and thousands of eager customers have trekked there to buy it. The prospective plan of Cuomo’s is stricter than those in Colorado or California, where medical marijuana can be obtained for something as simple as a backache; 20 hospitals in New York will be able to prescribe marijuana.

Up until now, New York was one of the nation’s harshest states for users or dealers of drugs. But Cuomo may be feeling the heat from New Jersey, where Gov. Chris Christie, following legalization of medical marijuana by his predecessor, Gov. John Corzine, set restrictions such limiting its strength, banning delivery of marijuana to homes, and making sure patients had tried every other alternative.

Cuomo, seeking reelection in 2014, has been moving hard to the left for the last two years; in 2011, he pushed for same-sex marriage; in 2012, he supported legislation for harsh gun-control laws, including banning assault weapons. He has tried to weaken laws against abortion, albeit unsuccessfully.

In taking the matter into his own hands, the governor is relying on a provision in the public health law known as the Antonio G. Olivieri Controlled Substance Therapeutic Research Program. It allows for the use of controlled substances for “cancer patients, glaucoma patients, and patients afflicted with other diseases as such diseases are approved by the commissioner.”

Because state and federal laws prohibit growing marijuana, New York may have to buy it from the federal government or law enforcement agencies.

Andrew M. Cuomo

Andrew M. Cuomo is the New York state government governor, and his father is Mario M. Cuomo.

Note: Mario M. Cuomo was the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state for the New York state government, is Andrew M. Cuomo’s father, and a board of adviser’s member for the American Constitution Society.

Open Society Foundations was a funder for the American Constitution Society.

George Soros is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations, the founder of Soros Fund Management, and the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the International Rescue Committee, and the Robin Hood Foundation.

Soros Fund Management was the buyer of assets, post-bankruptcy from MF Global Holdings Ltd.,

Jon S. Corzine was the chairman & CEO for MF Global Holdings Ltd., and the New Jersey state government governor.

Bradley Abelow was Jon S. Corzine’s chief of staff, the president & COO for MF Global Holdings Ltd., and the treasurer for the New Jersey state government.

Clifford S. Asness is a director at the International Rescue Committee, supported same-sex marriage in New York, and a leadership council member for the Robin Hood Foundation.

Emma Bloomberg was the senior planning officer for the Robin Hood Foundation, and her father is Michael R. Bloomberg.

Michael R. Bloomberg is Emma Bloomberg’s father, was the New York (NY) mayor, and a donor for the Robin Hood Foundation.

Robin Hood Foundation raised money for relief for Hurricane Sandy.

Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund is a relief organization for Hurricane Sandy.

Mary Pat Christie is the chair for the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, and married to Christopher J. Christie.

Christopher J. Christie is married to Mary Pat Christie, and the New Jersey state government governor.