Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jan 2014
Source: Saratogian, The (NY)
Copyright: The Associated Press 2014
Contact:  http://www.saratogian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2100
Author: Michael Hill, The Associated Press

GOVERNOR COMFORTABLE WITH EXECUTIVE ACTION ON MEDICAL POT

ALBANY (AP) - New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Monday he's comfortable 
with his plan to allow a limited number of hospitals to dispense 
marijuana for severe ailments, even as other states loosen marijuana 
laws more dramatically.

In his State of the State speech on Wednesday, Cuomo will formally 
announce plans to allow 20 hospitals to dispense marijuana to people 
suffering from cancer and other selected diseases under state 
Department of Health regulations. He refused to give details on how 
he would use his administrative powers - rather than legislative 
action - to phase in use of the drug.

Cuomo had previously opposed medical marijuana, saying the risks 
outweighed the benefits. But he said Monday that bypassing the 
Legislature will give his administration greater control over the 
program if it needs adjustments along the way.

"It's not a law, so it's not the Legislature telling me what I have 
to do. And that gives me great comfort," he said.

A bill to set up a statewide system regulating medical marijuana has 
been stalled in the Legislature for years, but the measure's Assembly 
sponsor argued Monday that the law is still needed. Assemblyman 
Richard Gottfried called Cuomo's move "an important interim step," 
but said the 1980 law Cuomo relies on for his executive action is 
"limited and cumbersome."

"There are many patients who could benefit from medical marijuana who 
cannot be helped under the 1980 law, such as children with severe 
epilepsy," said Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat.

Cuomo said broad legislation to legalize, regulate and tax the drug 
in New York is a nonstarter for him, and that he doubts lawmakers 
will approve any marijuana-related legislation this year.

"I don't believe there a legislative hunger to pass marijuana 
legislation this year," he said, "but that's something we'll have to see."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom