Medical marijuana bill clears NYS Senate Health Committee

KEN LOVETT

Supporters of legalizing medical marijuana in New York were flying high after the measure cleared the Senate Health Committee for the first time Wednesday afternoon.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island),, was reported out of committee by a 9-8 vote.

It now goes to the Senate Finance Committee. If it passes there, it could be brought to the floor for a full vote of the Senate before the legislative session ends next month.

The legislation that would authorize the use of medical pot to treat specific "serious, debilitating, life-threatening" chronic llnesses. Savino recently amendmed the bill to allow its use for rheumatoid arthritis. But at the uring of the state's ophthalmologists, it would not cover glaucoma.


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