Final days for legislative session

By DAVID KLEPPER, AP


The fate of proposals to raise the minimum wage, allow medical marijuana and combat the rise of heroin addiction will be decided this week as New York lawmakers work toward an end to their session.

Advocates for medical marijuana hoped last-minute talks with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and top lawmakers from the Assembly and Senate might secure passage. Cuomo has said he's open to authorizing a medical marijuana program, but only if it has safeguards. Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos has also raised questions about such a program, saying he'd like to see a system that only authorizes ingestible marijuana products.

A deal would likely have to be crafted by Monday in order for the Legislature to have time to vote.

http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-06-16-88283.113122-Final-days-for-legislative-session.html