Mid-Hudson Dems praise pot legalization
Republicans voice united opposition
Mid-Hudson Valley state lawmakers cast their vote this week for marijuana legalization along party lines with Democrats favoring and Republicans opposing the bill.
On Wednesday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill to legalize adultuse recreational use of marijuana after the state legislature voted in favor of it Tuesday. The Senate voted 40-23 in favor and the Assembly approved it 100-49.
“This is a historic day in New York - one that rights the wrongs of the past by putting an end to harsh prison sentences, embraces an industry that will grow the Empire State’s economy, and prioritizes marginalized communities so those that have suffered the most will be the first to reap the benefits.” Cuomo said
in a statement. “This was one of my top priorities in this year’s State of the State agenda and I’m proud these comprehensive reforms address and balance the social equity, safety and economic impacts of legal adult-use cannabis”
Cuomo’s opinion was similar to other fellow regional Democrats who issued statements Wednesday.
“As an advocate for this bill, I am proud that it will begin the process of assuring that the next generation of young adults will not be stigmatized with a criminal charge for the adult use of marijuana,” said Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, D-Kingston, who represents the 103rd Assembly District.
“It will finally, once and for all, end harsh, disproportionate punishments for consumption and possession of small amounts,” Cahill added. “Equally important is looking back and rectifying the life-altering convictions of those arrested for possession of small quantities of cannabis . ... This plan moves New York forward in a responsible and equitable manner, establishing a fair regulatory schema and giving back to communities historically impacted by decades of what many would reasonably conclude was a racially motivated drug policy.”
Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-Saugerties, said the decision will help the economy.
Hinchey represents the 46th Senate District.
Hinchey said the legalization “represents a historic moment for our state with the creation of an adult-use cannabis industry that will drive economic development and bolster our main streets, strengthen opportunities for Upstate New York, and provide social equity to communities that have been disenfranchised for decades.”
Sen. James Skoufis, DCornwall, had previously said he favored marijuana legalization if public safety matters were prioritized. He favored the current bill.
“In addition to addressing a longstanding disconnect between how we regulate alcohol - which is far more dangerous - and marijuana, this legislation will also expunge prior low-level marijuana charges that have made moving on with life needlessly difficult for so many New Yorkers,” said Skoufis, who represents the 39th Senate District. “With neighboring New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Canada all legalizing, it makes little practical sense for New York to sit on the sidelines. Instead of sticking our head in the sand while access grows easier and easier for residents who want marijuana, let’s regulate the product, ensure its safety, and keep our tax dollars in New York.”
Under the bill, Cuomo’s office says that a study for roadside testing will be done.
“The New York State Department of Health will work with institutions of higher education to conduct a controlled research study
designed to evaluate methodologies and technologies for the detection of cannabis-impaired driving,” Cuomo’s office said. “After completion of the research study, DOH may create and implement rules and regulations to approve and certify a test for the presence of cannabis in drivers.”
But Republicans such as Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-Schoharie, and Sen. Sue Serino, R-Hyde Park, stood strongly opposed.
“I cannot support any bills that legalize marijuana that don’t also address the effects legalization would have on impaired driving,” said Tague, who represents the 192nd Assembly District. “This bill does not address the issue of reliably assessing driver impairment in a meaningful way, and instead places an arbitrary deadline on the creation of a reliable roadside impairment testing protocol.
“While those who developed this legislation said it would help farmers, it only includes vague language about providing licenses to ‘distressed farmers’ without defining which farmers would qualify as ‘distressed’ within the text of the bill,”
Tague added.
Serino, who represents the 41st Senate District, said legalization will present numerous problems.
“Unlike with alcohol, currently, no accurate roadside scientific test exists to detect marijuana in an impaired driver, making it incredibly difficult to deter impaired driving, and even more difficult to hold those who do drive while impaired accountable for any harm they may cause,” Serino said. “A lack of available detection methods will also pose a number of health and safety challenges in the workplace—whether on a construction site, in a healthcare facility or elsewhere. Most importantly, while the intent of this bill is to legalize only adult-use recreational marijuana, I remain incredibly worried about the unintended consequences it will have on our kids.”
Sen. Mike Martucci, DNew Hampton, said there was little public input.
“The governor and the state legislature have forced through an extremely flawed and dangerous bill without holding even one public hearing,” said Martucci,
who represents the 42nd Senate District. “Negotiations occurred behind closed doors, ignoring the input of law enforcement, district attorneys, the PTA, and medical professionals.”
Senator Peter Oberacker, R–Schenevus, also said the bill is a bad one.
“As we work to recover from a pandemic that has left many people isolated and contributed to a rise in substance abuse issues, legalizing marijuana sends the entirely wrong message,” said Oberacker, who represents the 51st Senate District. “During the Senate debate, supporters said this will make the lives of every New Yorker better. Tell that to anyone who loses a family member in an auto accident, a parent whose child sustains long term health problems, or someone injured on the job due to marijuana induced negligence.”
Assemblyman Brian Miller, R-Hew Hartford, who represents the 101st Assembly District, said the state was not ready.
“Today, I voted against legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for the simple reason that I don’t believe the state is prepared,” Miller said. “There is currently no test, such as a breathalyzer which is used for alcohol, to determine if someone is acting under the influence. I believe that before we pass something as huge as legalizing marijuana, we need to have a better plan in place, especially to help law enforcement officials keep our communities safe. So, until that is figured out and our law enforcement feels comfortable
with it, my vote is no.”
But Democrats such as Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-Hudson, and Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, were of a different mindset.
“For far too long, enforcement of drug policies have disproportionately targeted communities of color, sending young people to prison and destroying futures for behaviors that are shrugged off or completely ignored in white communities,” said Barrett, who represents the 106th Assembly District. “My vote to legalize adult-use marijuana in the state of New York is a commitment to end those racial disparities and failed drug policies, as well as to bring new resources to our communities to educate about substance use and abuse, to create new jobs in a new industry, to allow local farmers to expand their crops to produce locally grown cannabis and to give veterans and others suffering from trauma more options to help with recovery. “
Ryan said the legislation will benefit Ulster County.
“The legalization of adultuse marijuana in New York State represents a tremendous economic opportunity for Ulster County that fits within our Ulster 2040 strategy to establish a more ‘People-Centered Economy’ by boosting our agriculture community, generating good paying jobs in an emerging market, and creating additional revenues to support all of our county’s critical programs in addition to helping those disproportionately negatively impacted by marijuana laws,” Ryan said.