Nick Reisman

Calling it a “watered-down version” of what lawmakers had initially sought, Fordham Law professor and Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Zephyr Teachout slammed the medical marijuana program approved on Friday by the Legislature.

In criticizing Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s efforts to create a tightly regulated medical marijuana program, Teachout pointed to the criminal penalties included in the law as well as the overall impact drug laws have on minority communities.

“The result is a confusing patchwork of punitive marijuana laws,” Teachout said in a statement. “Our state is the worst for marijuana arrests in the nation and overwhelmingly punishes working class New Yorkers of color. Although the deal is a step forward, it’s unconscionable that Governor Cuomo continues to play politics with an issue that could bring immediate relief to sick and vulnerable New Yorkers. He argued that any greater step forward would be unsafe, but the current laws are unsafe: they lead to suffering and senseless incarceration.”

http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/06/teachout-slams-med-mar-deal/

Rick Karlin, Capitol bureau

The Senate just passed a medical marijuana bill that’s now headed for the governor’s desk, and business interests including law firms who are carving out a specialty in this emerging field are already starting to promote themselves.

The Meyer Suozzi English & Klein law firm has what could be called a marijuana practice and they are out with a specialist, Barry Peek, who is offering the following remarks:

“The passage of the Compassionate Care Act finally makes medical marijuana a reality in NYS. This is a positive development for those who suffer from serious illness, and a significant opportunity for businesses, both not-for and for profit,” says Peek. “Our team is uniquely positioned to counsel the business community on the unknowns, such as how the seven year sunset and the DOH’s significant decision making power will play out. We will continue to monitor when the bids will be issued for the five New York State growers and 20 dispensaries.”

http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/215309/marijuana-business-interests-including-lawyers-are-lining-up/

http://m.thedailystar.com/thedailystar/db_291684/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=hU6s5vph

KEN LOVETT

Here is the third item from my "Albany Insider" column on Monday:

Fresh off securing a win in her push to legalize medical marijuana in New York, Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island) spoke about the effort in Las Vegas Sunday to the International Cannabis Association.

The association says it “brings together people interested in starting, supporting, or expanding a cannabis business.”

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/sponsor-ny-medical-marijuana-bill-addresses-international-cannabis-association-blog-entry-1.1839930

http://blog.timesunion.com/opinion/one-tough-prescription/29640/
TU Editorial Board
Imagine you’ve got the flu, and your doctor can prescribe a drug to cure it, but first, there are some things the government says you have to do.

First, your doctor will need to register with the state to write a prescription for this one drug. The state’s authorization will come with the threat of legal action if the doctor makes a bad judgement call.

Then you, too, will have to be certified as an eligible patient. You’ll also need a state-issued card. Then you’ll have to go to a special dispensary, of which there will be only 20, at most, in the state.