Long Islanders Weigh in On Medical Marijuana

The debate about medical marijuana came to Mineola this week as state assembly members heard from residents on both sides of the issues. They were there to provide testimony on a bill that would legalize medical marijuana in New York State. 

The proposed Compassionate Care Act would create one of the nation’s most tightly regulated medical marijuana programs, according to the Drug Policy Alliance, allowing seriously ill patients access to a small amount of marijuana under the supervision of their healthcare provider. 

The arguments Wednesday spanned a spectrum of the issue.

Missy Miller, an Atlantic Beach resident said medical marijuana could offer relief to by her son who suffers from “hundreds of seizures,” according to Newsday. 

However, Executive Director of the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Jeff Reynolds said that the bill could lead to more addictions.  

A website dedicated to explaining issues surrounding proposed medical marijuana legalization under the Compassionate Care Act is availablehere. Read the full bill here.

The Assembly passed the bill with a bipartisan vote earlier this year, though the Senate did not take up the measure.