ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo is just saying not yet to medical marijuana.
Cuomo, who once fought to repeal the state’s tough drug laws, says there isn’t enough time in this year’s legislative session to fully analyze a proposal to legalize medical marijuana.
This year’s legislative session ends June 21.
“There are tremendous risks,” he told reporters yesterday after an event in Utica. “I think the risks outweigh the benefits at this point.”
Cuomo, noting his background as a prosecutor and attorney general, added, “We have a terrible problem in this state, still, on drug use.”
State Sen. Diane Savino (D-SI), a key proponent of medical marijuana who is allied with traditionally resistant Republicans, agreed New York needs time to ensure controls that limit abuse — and to avoid the mistakes of California and some of the other 15 states where medical marijuana is legal.
But Assembly Health Committee Chairman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) disagreed.
“The bill is extremely tightly drafted” and reflects years of fine-tuning, Gottfried said of legislation he and Savino plan to introduce.
“The legislature and governor have sorted out much more complicated issues in less time over the years,” added Gottfried. “I think the governor would find this is very doable.”