Albany, NY — Following Attorney General Jeff Sessions announcement of new policy aimed at state marijuana laws, Senator Diane Savino (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) sent letters to the four New York-based United States Attorneys urging them to allow New York’s medical cannabis program to continue without unnecessary federal interference.
“I am writing to encourage you to respect the wishes of the citizens and the elected officials of New York State and allow New York’s carefully regulated and closely monitored medical cannabis program to continue without undue interference from the Federal government,” Senator Savino wrote.
Senator Savino was the Senate sponsor of the 2014 Compassionate Care Act that made New York the 23rd state to allow the medical use of cannabis. Since its enactment, over 40,000 patients have been certified for the program, with numbers expected to grow.
In the letter, Senator Savino highlighted the carefully crafted law and tightly regulated model that New York uses for its medical cannabis program. She also discussed the illnesses that patients in the program face, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, ALS and Parkinson’s disease, as well as the benefits that children suffering from seizures have seen.
“In light of the grave needs of these patients,” Senator Savino concluded, “and in light of New York State’s tremendous regulatory model and enforcement system, I respectfully encourage you to abide by the above eight priorities in your enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act…and avoid undue interference with the limited number of medical cannabis companies in our state.”
