Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
New York Medical Marijuana Bill Excludes Marijuana
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 19, 2014
Modified Jun 19, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
original image via Getty Images
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 19, 2014
Modified Jun 19, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
New York State, where you can marry whomever you want, buy liquor seven days a week, and pick up a turkey sandwich or PCP at any hour of the day or night, is poised to pass a medical marijuana law that does not involve the actual marijuana, because our governor doesn't want to "wreak havoc" with a plant that grows freely in Union Square.
That's right: Governor Cuomo forced lawmakers from both parties to water down the language of the medical marijuana bill so that it "doesn't allow for the plant, a smokeable form of marijuana," only THC oils and extracts that can be vaporized or eaten, State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico said at a press conference.
The difference is that many patients prefer to have their illnesses treated through smoking the plant, and the vast majority of the medical marijuana studies have been conducted using the tried and true method.
Not only is New York's proposed medical marijuana law weaker than New Jersey's and Connecticut's, but the bill puts the patients benefitting from it subject to the Governor's whim.
"If there are unintended consequences then we can suspend the program. I have the total authority to do it, on the recommendations of those who know best," Governor Cuomo said. "It would be turned off, you pull the plug out of the wall, the whole machine shuts down."
Possessing medical marijuana oils without a doctor-issued prescription would be a Class E felony, yet possessing actual marijuana out of public view is only a violation, not even a misdemeanor, as it has been since the late 1970s.
Capital has more of the details on the legislation.
Tagged
cannabis
governor cuomo
medical marijuana
Progressive politicians
war on drugs
original
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
He pleaded guilty to separate charges in federal court this summer.
By
Samantha Max
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 3:44 p.m. ET
Feds blame NYC's sanctuary policies for violent ICE arrest in Marble Hill
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE agents were unaware a child was in the vehicle they fired on during the arrest.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
Feds blame NYC's sanctuary policies for violent ICE arrest in Marble Hill
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE agents were unaware a child was in the vehicle they fired on during the arrest.
By
Arya Sundaram
NYPD rushed man shot by ICE to hospital in police SUV, bodycam footage shows
By
Ben Feuerherd
Pencils down: NYC lawmakers want to switch back to paper tests as state mandates screens
By
Jessica Gould
Penn Station’s future could be determined by midterm elections
By
Stephen Nessen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .