Reaction to pot law splits along party lines
A Republican state lawmaker who represents part of the Mid-Hudson Valley says Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Democrats in Albany have, in essence, made marijuana possession legal by easing penalties for having the drug.
“The governor and [Democratic-controlled] Legislature have basically legalized recreational marijuana,” Sen. George Amedore said in a brief email. “This is a dangerous mea- sure that will put public health and safety at risk.”
Amerdore, R-Rotterdam, represents New York’s 46th Senate District, which includes the city of Kingston.
Cuomo signed legislation Monday that makes unlawful possession of marijuana a violation, similar to a traffic ticket, instead of a criminal charge.The penalty under the new law, which takes affect a month from now, is $50 for possessing less than an ounce of pot or a maximum of $200 for 1 to 2 ounces.
The law also requires that criminal records tied to low-level marijuana cases be sealed automatically, and it creates a process for expungement.
Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, D
Kingston, says that new law is a step in the right direction.
“This is an important step that will begin to clear the records of thousands of New Yorkers, put marijuana usage into a different, better perspective from a law-enforcement point of view, and will simplify our remaining work to commercialize marijuana sales, as has been done in several states,” Cahill said in a written statement.
Cahill, who represents New York’s 103rd Assembly District, also said the new law is a step toward “ending the prohibition that has criminalized so many, without curtailing illegal drug use and while ignoring the overwhelming will of the people.”
Additionally, Cahill said, his office is working to develop rules that will allow banks and insurance companies in New York do business with “legal marijuana entities.”
Republican Assemblyman Chris Tague, of the 102nd District, said marijuana decriminalization in New York was not well thought out.
“My vote [against] decriminalization is based on the lack of forethought within the bill,” Tague, a Schoharie resident, said in a prepared statement. “First and foremost, how is this going to be regulated? We have a very solid, noninvasive manner to test if someone is above the legal limit to drive after drinking alcohol, but I have yet to see a single thought put toward the test for marijuana.
“How much is too much to drive? Care for a child?” Tague added. “That’s not
to mention the additional training law enforcement will need to have.”
State Sen. James Skoufis, D-Woodbury, expressed support for the bill Cuomo signed.
“The decriminalization of marijuana is a commonsense measure that I was proud to support earlier this year,” Skoufis said in a prepared statement. “Thousands of New Yorkers have been jailed for possession of small amounts of marijuana due to the antiquated, fundamentally unjust laws we, up until now, had on the books.
“It’s about time New York state righted this longstanding wrong,” Skoufis added. “Let’s spend more time and law-enforcement resources on catching true criminals, including Wall Street predators, and less time locking up teenagers for marijuana.”
Skoufis represents the 39th Senate District.