Big news, everyone!
New York was poised to become the 23rd state to legalize medical marijuana after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced this past week that he and other state lawmakers had reached a deal to make it so, but someone might have stolen their thunder…
It’s still cool! However, there is a caveat. The bill will prohibit smoking marijuana, but rather will apply strictly to edibles, pills, and vaporized marijuana.
The prohibition of smoking the green herb was a major sticking point for Cuomo and his administration.
Here is what Mr. Cuomo said during his historic announcement:
“Medical marijuana has the capacity to do a lot of good for a lot of people who are in pain and suffering. At the same time, medical marijuana is a difficult issue because there are risks to public health and safety that have to be averted. I believe this bill is the right balance.”
Mr. Cuomo later tweeted:
“In gridlock, everybody loses. To have the wisdom to be able to compromise is sometimes the greatest wisdom.” #MedMar
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 19, 2014
However the deal won’t go into effect immediately. There will be an 18-month-period before medical marijuana is officially legalized, and even after that there will be a seven year period where the legislators can cancel its legalization at any time.
Still, this is a HUGE announcement, and a welcome relief to those who struggle with painful and/or debilitating illnesses. We’re so glad they’ll be able to ease that pain very soon!
Check out Andrew Cuomo’s historic press conference down (below) !!!