ALBANY - The Legislature has agreed to more minor changes to the state's harsh drug laws, but critics say the reforms don't go far enough. The bill would allow A-2 drug offenders to petition the court for resentencing and early release. The legislation would affect about 600 inmates. Sen. Dale Volker, an Erie County Republican and chairman of the Senate Codes Committee, said the bill fulfills the Senate's promise to continue to reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws. "It's probably a baby step, but it's still a step," said Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, D-Brooklyn, a co-sponsor of the bill in that house. [continues 234 words]
ALBANY -- In April, Gov. George Pataki signed a law that allows dry cleaners to donate clothes to charity that have been left for more than six months. The legislation was little noted at the time, but it could turn out to be the single most significant thing the state Legislature accomplishes during the 2004 session. The session ends Tuesday, but lawmakers have yet to adopt a budget, comply with a court mandate to increase school aid or pass any major legislation. [continues 605 words]
ALBANY- Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, R-Gouverneur, is the sole Republican to sign onto a bill that would allow medical use of marijuana. Ms. Scozzafava said her support for the bill, which has 27 Democratic sponsors, stems from personal experience in which she "saw someone suffer very much." When a family member was suffering from a painful disease, a medical professional said marijuana was one treatment that could have helped, she said. Ms. Scozzafava said she opposes legalization of marijuana, but supports the bill sponsored by Assemblyman Richard N. Gottfried, D-Manhattan, because it would treat marijuana as a controlled substance. [continues 269 words]
