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Poll: NY Stoked for Medical Marijuana, But Will Senate Listen?
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 4, 2010
Modified Feb 4, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 4, 2010
Modified Feb 4, 2010
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Voters across New York State are overwhelmingly in favor of ending prohibition on medical marijuana, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. 71 percent of those polled said medical marijuana is a "good idea," with the poll finding support "among all political, racial and regional groups." Even a majority of Republicans (55 - 41) are in favor of turning on medicinally. "Voters of every age have entered the Age of Aquarius," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "It hasn't attracted a lot of attention, but New York State voters would like to emulate their New Jersey neighbors and approve medical use of marijuana." So what the hell's stopping us from biting Jersey's style?
A bill is before the state senate now, but progress in Albany comes more slowly than a stoner searching for his keys. Runnin' Scared says the bill "keeps getting nervously passed among committees." Come on Senate, puff puff pass it! The poll also found that a slim majority of NYC voters (57 - 40) oppose the so-called "fat tax" proposal to tax non-diet sugary soft drinks. Statewide, Democrats support the idea 53 - 44 percent, but opposition is 76 - 22 percent among Republicans and 59 - 39 percent among independent voters. And faith in the government is at a major low; only 9 percent of voters say the State Legislature "has the courage to deal with difficult budget problems, while 84 percent expect 'it will be business as usual in Albany.'"
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John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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