NY’s Rejection of Commercial Weed Biggest Blow Yet to Big Marijuana
Despite massive spending and lobbying by Big Marijuana and its allies, the New York State Legislature rejected commercial marijuana. Dr. Kevin Sabet, former drug policy advisor to President Obama and President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana released the following statement in response:
“Today New York legislators learned that commercializing marijuana brings along a host of significant health, safety and societal costs that result in no tax money and no social justice. The predatory pot industry wanted legislators to believe that this was simple. Like they did in New Jersey, they said it was inevitable. The industry told people it would rain money for a host of pet projects, that our young people wouldn’t be at risk and drugged driving concerns were overblown. Thankfully, New York’s parents, doctors, law enforcement, teachers and many lawmakers didn’t fall for the con.
“Our broad coalition, including the NYS PTA, Medical Society of the State of New York, NY Sheriffs’ Association, NY Chiefs of Police Association, County Health Officials, local elected officials, concerned parents, teachers, addiction and recovery activists made their voices heard. Legislative leaders deserve credit for their willingness to advance sensible decriminalization over full commercialization of dangerous THC products and we look forward to working with them to craft good public policy.
“New Yorkers can be assured we will continue working to prevent the industry from making gains in further sessions, and we will redouble our efforts to protect young people and those in low income and minority communities who are subjected to relentless in targeting, exploitation and victimization by Big Marijuana. We will continue to work every day to put public health and safety over the profits of this addiction-for-profit industry. We will fight to ensure science prevails over industry propaganda to create public policies that protect human health.”
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