Crossposted from GreenState Project and DiaTribune
There is a real possibility that New York will be greatly relieving the fear of law enforcement retaliation against medical marijuana users soon and the Democratic Party will be taking responsibility for it - whether people want to like it or even know about it, or not.
More.
From the New York Sun
Following in the footsteps of Connecticut's Legislature, New York State lawmakers are expected to approve legislation allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
The Democrat-led Assembly could pass a medical marijuana bill as early as this week, according to the bill's main sponsor. The Republican-led Senate is expected to follow suit, lawmakers said.
It's not clear if Governor Spitzer would support the bill. As a candidate last year, Mr. Spitzer said he was opposed to the legalization of medical marijuana, but a spokeswoman for the governor indicated yesterday that he has not ruled out signing such a bill.
I am very pleased to not have to bash the New York Repubs on this issue. Here they are doing what I and many other people have been demanding. Although it's only taken 40 years of screaming and the law isn't the picture of compassion.
Apparently Spitzer, a Democrat, was initially on record as toeing the general reefer mad GOP line: not seeing any possible value in medical marijuana and was promising a veto of any such legislation.
Nothing like an open mind, eh?
Well it's true: there isn't: check it out.
Spitzer is open to New York legalizing medicinal marijuana
Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer, in a reversal of a campaign position, said Tuesday he could support legislation legalizing the use of marijuana for certain medicinal purposes.
The governor’s position comes as lawmakers stepped up a push in the final two weeks of the 2007 session for New York to join 12 other states and allow marijuana for those suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis and other painful conditions.
In a debate last summer he went on record opposing such a thing.
He's a Democrat and this is wrong. And I am happy to report he's changed his mind.
I cannot say what has prompted this flip flop his change of heart but it's an important change to note.
[UPDATE: PrgrsvArchitect points out the following:
"On many issues, hopefully you learn, you study, you evolve. This is one where I had, as a prosecutor, a presumption against the use of any narcotic which wasn’t designed purely for medicinal and medical effect. And now there are ways that persuaded me that it can be done properly," the governor told reporters.
This is why Spitzer changed his mind: he encountered contrary information. Information that proved persuasive. Information that was reality-based and not talking point hot air. - Doc]
From the NY Sun piece linked above:
New York would be the 13th state to approve a medical marijuana program and the fifth state to approve the use of the substance through legislative action. Eight states have permitted medical marijuana by voter referendum.
What was that Dean strategy? State by state?
Oh yeah... the 50-state Strategy..
Medical Marijuana has it's own 50-State program going and it's time for Democrats and the Democratic Party to do the right thing and jump on the bandwagon.
I know...politics isn't about doing the right thing.
I mean look at the law that's going to happen in New York: You can't legally get any marijuana, but if you have a certain illness you will only be fined $100 for self treatment.
"Essentially, personal marijuana use for all intents and purposes has been decriminalized anyway in New York," said Erie County District Attorney Frank J. Clark, pointing to state law that makes a first marijuana possession subject to only a violation with a $100 fine.
That's awful good and compassionate, right?
ONLY $100 fine and a ticket for treating yourself AFTER you have been OFFICIALLY-APPROVED as "sick enough to qualify". Aren't you just weeping at this moving display of compassion??
[UPDATE: Ben Masel corrected me on this. I did, indeed misread this. here's his information:
The $100 fine for any marijuana possession is status quo. The proposed legislation would remove patients from the non-criminal $100 fine regime, and allow limited cultivation by patients for their own use, but does not address patients unable to grow their own, whether through disability, or institutionalization.
I had been thinking of a similar law in Maryland from last year so I A) was wrong and B) have stricken the paragraph following as it is now inappropriate. -Doc]
Ok...so they haven't done "the right thing" by a long shot but it IS a goose-step in the right correct direction. And that's desirable.
Dems don't have to worry about "doing the right thing" here. They can play dirty politics: Any democratic candidate talking positively about reform should know in their hearts this just puts so much pressure on their GOP counterparts.
See, the GOP has no choice whatsoever: they HAVE to continue lying and saying the amazing stupid and heartless things they do about medical marijuana and the pot-smoking demographic in general. The moment the lying stops, the lockstep stops and we all know the GOP eats its own when this occurs.
They have painted themselves into a corner and right now the GOP is strung out across America reeling from an array of serious scandals, a recent ass-kicking in the 2006 elections and are losing serious ground...everywhere it seems.
The Dems, in contrast and despite their aiding and abetting the problem these past 40 years, have no similar investment in reefer madness. Dems are free to just talk positively and rationally about it and then move on.
The GOP is largely unable to do this. I'd make 'em talk about it. Make them say the stupid things they will say. Make 'em squirm.
One of the last things the GOP needs right now is a concerted effort to make themselves look any more out of touch with people; to look any more aloof to "the people's issues"; to essentially be castigating potential voters who smoke pot or support relegalization is just not what the GOP needs to be doing right now.
The bottom line is that people have wanted cannabis reform(s) for 40 years and the Federal Government and the GOP (yes, Dems help but it's the GOP's baby in the end) have fought this tooth and nail the entire time.
Yet here we are with medical marijuana reforms creeping across the nation, testimony to the grassroots and now netroots activism of people getting these things on ballots.
Someday we'll get our straight upperdown vote.
The Democratic Party can help make that happen and make life difficult for the GOP...if they will only do so.
Encourage YOUR representatives to talk like sane adults about medical marijuana and/or cannabis/war on drug reform.
Forget that it's doing the "right thing": it'll be a blast to torment the GOP!