Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jun 2014
Source: Oneida Daily Dispatch (NY)
Copyright: 2014 The Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.oneidadispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4546
Author: Josefa Velasquez, The Associated Press
Page: A3

NEGOTIATIONS UNDERWAY ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL

ALBANY (AP) - The lead-sponsor of a bill to legalize medical 
marijuana in New York said Thursday negotiations are underway between 
the Governor's Office, Senate and Assembly, and her goal is an 
agreement within days.

"We have been hoping that the governor's office would engage because 
we would really like to have a three-way agreement in time to be 
printed on Monday so it can be acted on by the end of this session," 
said state Sen. Diane Savino, a Staten Island Democrat.

Meanwhile, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on public radio's "Capitol 
Pressroom" that he is open to the "Compassionate Care Act," as the 
legislation is called, but has reservations. The governor, a 
Democrat, said he generally approves of the concept but is worried 
about implementing a safe distribution system that can't be exploited.

Cuomo has supported exploring medical marijuana use. In January, he 
announced a pilot program that would allow 20 hospitals statewide to 
administer the drug to patients under the direction of the state's 
health department.

While Savino met with reporters, Senate leadership moved the bill 
from the finance to the rules committee, its final stop before a vote 
in the Republican-led Senate.

John De Francisco, chairman of the finance committee, has said he 
wouldn't allow the measure to be brought to a vote.

The legislative session ends June 19. The rules committee is not 
slated to meet until Monday.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom