Albany
Governor Cuomo Tells NY Lawmakers They Can Get a Raise if They Fix Marijuana Laws and Minimum Wage
New York has been a very busy place lately in terms of politics. Intense preparations were underway for days leading up to this week’s historic presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney at Long Island’s Hofstra University. Conspicuously absent from the conversation were many issues including the war on drugs and poverty.
New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo has been tackling some of the issues that were have been missing from the presidential bickering. New York State lawmakers have been salivating for a raise (their last came in 1999) but the Governor told them a raise is out of the question until the working class is taken care of first. Mr. Cuomo is has been seeking a raise to New York’s minimum wage, and has tied lawmakers salaries to getting the bill done. Specifically the Governor said “I would not even consider, even consider a pay raise unless the people’s business was being done in a thorough, responsible way.”
The Governor has submitted a complex proposal that also shows New Yorkers he has not forgotten about his vow from the spring to enact marijuana reform. Several months ago Governor Cuomo was mocked by lawmakers and critics who have not moved beyond the 80 year old talking points against marijuana. However he was also applauded by those who appreciated his plan to save the state money and to fix New York’s “stop and frisk” program, which is almost exclusively carried out in NYC. The tactics by police have been criticized by many, including neighborhood advocates who are upset that police almost always target Blacks and Hispanics in the random searches. “Stop and Frisk” has made national headlines as it considered by many to be against the spirit of New York’s marijuana laws. Possession of 25 grams of marijuana or less was decriminalized in the 1970s in New York. Possession under 25 grams is supposed to result in a civil citation ticket, however police have found a way around this. Marijuana in “open view”, even if less than 25g, can be considered a misdemeanor and carry jail time. Often, police demand that individuals empty their pockets, and once they do officers make arrests and claim the marijuana was out in the open.
Lawmakers in NY have been slow to take up the issue. Even as many politicians admit that “Stop and Frisk” goes against the intentions of the state’s marijuana laws, it has been rare to hear comment on the issue. However, we are in the political season and we are glad to see the Governor engaging in the issues that Mr. Romney and Mr. Obama neglected. There will be some more shrewd political moves to come, but none may be as interesting as what Governor Cuomo has done. Like dangling a carrot in front of a mule, the Governor has effectively tied lawmakers salaries to future of workers and marijuana law in New York. For the first time we expect Albany legislators to start their shift on the issue.
Medical Marijuana Industry News September 28, 2012
Probation Workers Find That Chris Brown Tests Positive for Marijuana…
It has been an eventful few weeks in terms of marijuana developments in regards to celebrity. Lady Gaga publically smoked a joint onstage in Amsterdam and Fionna Apple was arrested in Texas for marijuana and hashish possession. Enter Chris Brown. The controversial star is again in the news. Because of his conviction in 2009 for assaulting then girlfriend, Rihanna, Chris Brown was placed on probation for 5 years. Mr. Brown failed a drug test in June while performing community service in Virginia. However, the plot thickens a bit because he is medical marijuana card holder. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge, Patricia Schnegg, said that mandatory drug tests were not a part of Chris Brown’s sentence. The judge scolded him and said “You are not an ordinary person who can sit in your living room and do whatever you want to do. More importantly, a lot of people look up to you, a lot of kids. What you do and what you say impacts a lot of people.” It appears this may just be grandstanding by authorities as Brown has not officially done anything that is in direct violation of his probation.
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Momentum Building in New York State For Marijuana Reform…
Several months ago New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he was seeking to change the controversial “Stop and Frisk” tactics used primarily by NYPD officers. Now it appears there is a growing call to institute a medical marijuana program. New York’s closet neighbors, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Vermont now have all either passed or started medical marijuana programs. Additionally, at a recent forum in Syracuse, many speakers came out in support of marijuana for MS patients. The forum received considerable media coverage and could be important to changing minds of upstate New York politicians. New York City and Long Island residents support medical marijuana with upstate residents and lawmakers a bit more on the fence. Even though the overall population of New York supports marijuana (61%), many upstate politicians work for residents in rural areas that are divided on the issue. The result contributes to Albany’s epic reputation for stalemate politics. The momentum appears to be changing and New York should be joining the growing list of states with medical marijuana within a few years.
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Arkansas Upholds Ruling for Medical Marijuana To Appear on Ballot…
Medical marijuana has typically been a coastal and Midwest conversation. However, in a testament to compassion, economics, and widespread communication, Arkansas now may become the first state to legalize medical marijuana. The ballot initiative has been successful due in large part to the efforts of Arkansas for Compassionate Care. The group contributed significantly to gathering enough signatures to get the issue to the ballots. This seemed to have been decided months ago, however, a group named Coalition to Preserve Arkansas Values filed a lawsuit to remove the issue from the ballot on the basis that it mislead voters. The Arkansas Supreme Court disagreed and ruled that “We hold that it is an adequate and fair representation without misleading tendencies or partisan coloring. Therefore, the act is proper for inclusion on the ballot at the general election on Nov. 6, 2012, and the petition is therefore denied.” Even if voters pass the measure, there will probably be resistance from the Governor who has previously stated his opposition to the bill. However, as Arizona Jan Brewer has found, it may be a slippery slope to challenge the will of voters.
Albany Lady Seeks to spread out Marijuana Processing Business
New You are able to has already established much discussion regarding medicinal marijuana in the last many years. Legislation targeted at legalizing cannabis like a medication continues to be created by New You are able to Senate Health committee Chair, Tom Duane (D). A brand new turn of occasions may promote much more conversation within the Empire Condition concerning the problem.
A lady has lately introduced that they needs to begin a marijuana processing business within the Albany, NY area. Rhea Graham intends to open “Canna Kitchen and Research”, a facility which will take marijuana and convert it into a electric form. She states that they is wishing for marijuana card holders to create cannabis to her. Consequently, she’ll clean it and extract the ingredients that you can use in butter, oil, tinctures, and capsules. Monthly subscriptions will vary from $35 to $100.
Based on Graham her primary problem is to supply healthy medical options. She gets that electric options ought to be offered because “It’s much more healthy and delay pills work better for a number of conditions. For most of them just smoking the marijuana does not work.” Graham seemed to be quick to point that her facility won’t be a hangout and will also be an intensely focused business. She gets this can address abuse potential.
Although this is a fascinating development, the storyline surely won’t finish here. New You are able to shares its edges with medicinal marijuana states Nj and Vermont. However, association might not just be enough as New You are able to condition has yet to eco-friendly light a medicinal marijuana program. Although she isn’t creating the cannabis, legal challenges will probably ensue. The Linn County Da along with local information examining the legitimacy from the situation. This case does demonstrate the interest in medicinal marijuana within the country’s more populous and various states. Meanwhile, if “Canna Kitchen and Research” does open with no major legal hurdles, this facility could serve New You are able to citizens well for the moment, before (when) any legal shops open.
ABC News Funnel 9 KEZI.com Albany Lady Intends to Open Electric Marijuana Business