cannabisnews.com: GOP 'Joint' Resolution GOP 'Joint' Resolution Posted by CN Staff on May 08, 2005 at 07:59:40 PT By Kenneth Lovett Source: New York Post Albany, N.Y. -- The push to legalize marijuana in New York for medicinal use has for the first time generated a majority-sponsored bill in the Republican-controlled state Senate — a big boost to the chances prescription pot will be available in the state. Sen. Vincent Leibell (R-Dutchess County) quietly introduced a bill last month that would let doctors prescribe marijuana to patients with life-threatening, degenerative or permanently disabling conditions. Cannabis could only be used if a doctor feels that other drugs and treatments would not be as effective. "Thousands of New Yorkers have serious medical conditions that can be improved by medically approved use of cannabis," Leibell's bill says. "The law should not stand in the way between them and life- and health-sustaining treatment under a physician's supervision." Many otherwise illegal controlled substances, like steroids and morphine, are permitted for legitimate medical uses, Leibell said. "I realize this will be controversial, but I think it's the right thing to do," the lawmaker told The Post. "It's not decriminalization. It's a narrow part of the population under closely controlled medical standards." While his bill differs slightly from one in the Democratic-controlled Assembly, it's close enough that he and Assembly Health Committee Chairman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) believe a compromise is near. Leibell, Gottfried and TV talk-show host Montel Williams will hold a bipartisan joint press conference on the issue Tuesday. Williams, who is prescribed medical marijuana by a California doctor to help deal with his multiple sclerosis, last year made an emotional plea during private meetings with Gov. Pataki and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno to follow the 10 states that have legalized pot for medical purposes. Following a bout with prostate cancer, Bruno said last year he was warming to the idea. Pataki has been less inclined to support the concept. Health Department spokesman William Van Slyke said medical experts believe there are enough legal drugs that provide the same benefits as marijuana. "We remain skeptical of the use of marijuana for medical purposes, but will continue to monitor the situation," Van Slyke said. In the Assembly, legislation on the issue was voted out of the Health Committee last year but never made it to the floor for a full vote. "I think if the Senate is prepared to pass the bill, the Assembly will as well," Gottfried said. The state Conservative Party opposes the legalization of medical marijuana. "It's just the wrong thing to do," said Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long. Source: New York Post (NY)Author: Kenneth LovettPublished: May 8, 2005Copyright: 2005 N.Y.P. Holdings, Inc.Contact: letters nypost.comWebsite: http://www.nypost.com/Related Articles & Web Site:New Yorkers for Compassionate Care http://www.nycompassionatecare.org/NY Rethinking Its Ban on Medical Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18803.shtmlTalk Show Host Lobbies in Albanyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18799.shtmlMontel Williams Pushes Pot -- for Medical Reliefhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18797.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #11 posted by FoM on May 10, 2005 at 11:43:41 PT Related Article from The Business Review - Albany Bruno To Allow State Senate Vote on Medical MarijuanaMay 9, 2005State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno met with talk show host Montel Williams in Albany, N.Y., Tuesday and afterward pledged to allow a medical marijuana bill to come up in the Senate this session. The Republican-controlled chamber has resisted bills in the past to legalize marijuana for medical uses. Bruno said Tuesday legislation would be worked out with advocates, including the state Medical Society, to legalize marijuana use "in strictly regulated, medically controlled circumstances." Marijuana would only be used in these cases under the direction of a physician, Bruno said. The substance can ease the nausea associated with chemotherapy and for other medicinal uses such as pain management. Williams, who has lobbied before in Albany for legalization of medical marijuana, said he smokes the substance for relief from the pain of his multiple sclerosis. Bruno has survived prostate cancer and he said Tuesday he understands "how difficult it is to live day to day with a painful, life-threatening illness." The Democrat-dominated state Assembly has regularly passed bills in the past legalizing marijuana for medical use, but those measure have failed in the Senate. Copyright: 2005 American City Business Journals Inc.http://albany.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2005/05/09/daily18.html?jst=b_ln_hl [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Jose Melendez on May 10, 2005 at 09:17:59 PT On expensive alternatives and modus operandi from: Indianz.Com - Your Gaming Resource URL: http://www.indianz.com/IndianGaming/2005/007706.asp?print=1 April 20, 2005 Pataki took Trump donation, then pulled casino deals New York Gov. George Pataki (R) says his decision to pull a bill to authorize five tribal casinos in the Catskills has nothing to do with a $10,000 donation from Donald Trump. Pataki accepted the money last Wednesday, two days before he withdrew the legislation. Trump opposes the casinos in the Catskills, fearing they will hurt his Atlantic City casinos. Pataki's spokesperson says the deals were pulled because of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Oneida Nation case. Get the Story: Timing is curious on casino bill (The Syracuse Post-Standard 4/20)from: http://www.voicesofsept11.org/groundzero/012205.htmLeading Donors to Pataki PAC in 2004 Included Developers of Ground Zero January 22, 2005 By PATRICK D. HEALY A political action committee set up to burnish Gov. George E. Pataki's national reputation gathered more than $1 million in 2004, and among the biggest donors were four business leaders or officials heavily involved in rebuilding ground zero.(snip)Mr. Pataki has taken an intensive role in the redevelopment of ground zero, going so far as to involve himself in the selection of final designs for the site. The donors are Daniel R. Tishman and John L. Tishman, who each gave $25,000 last month and are executives with Tishman Realty and Construction, which is building 7 World Trade Center; John C. Whitehead, whom Mr. Pataki tapped to be chairman of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation; and Lloyd Goldman, a partner in developing 7 World Trade Center. The Tishmans were not available for comment yesterday, but a spokesman, Richard Kielar, said their donations had "no connection to downtown projects." Some of the PAC filings were first reported yesterday by The New York Post. "The Tishmans gave to the George Pataki PAC because he is one of the leading environmentalist governors in the United States," Mr. Kielar said. "Tishman is a 107-year-old private company that does mostly private-sector work, but whether it's private or public, we compete fairly and squarely for it." Mr. Whitehead and Mr. Goldman did not return calls seeking comment yesterday. It was unclear yesterday if aides to Mr. Pataki directly requested the donations, or if the donors gave on their own initiative. The largest donation to his fund last year was $75,000 from the New York-based Altria Corporate Services, part of the tobacco giant Altria Group.See also: http://www.nypirg.org/goodgov/subjecttoinfluence.pdfand from: http://www.wciv.com/news/stories/0904/169999.htmlDrug Companies Wooing GOP Pols at RNC UPDATED - Wednesday September 01, 2004 2:54amNEW YORK (AP) - The pharmaceutical industry, fighting to defeat proposals that would give U.S. patients easier access to cheaper Canadian drugs, is making the most of its chance for face time with lawmakers at the GOP convention. Drug companies are well-represented on the social calendar in New York with events large and small. They include an afternoon tea with New York state first lady Libby Pataki, sponsored by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals; a nomination-night party for top members of President Bush (website - news - bio) 's re-election team, co-sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb; and a breast-cancer awareness luncheon funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Pfizer is one of the most active drug makers. Its events include a supper for the Colorado delegation at Tavern on the Green and an evening reception at the landmark Rainbow Room in honor of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The companies believe reaching out to decision-makers at all levels of government is particularly important at a time when Congress and several states and communities are considering proposals that would allow residents to shop for medication north of the border. "It is important that we decisively convey our side of the story. We need to emphasize that there are real safety risks associated with importation," said Jeff Trewhitt, a spokesman for the industry's biggest lobby, the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America. On Tuesday, Pfizer sponsored the second of two breakfasts for delegates from Oregon, a presidential battleground state whose Democratic governor recently asked the federal government for permission to import drugs from Canada. Delegates and a Pfizer lobbyist breakfasted on scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, pastries and fruit as they listened to speeches by Agriculture (website - news) Secretary Ann Veneman, Bush campaign adviser Tucker Eskew and White House political adviser Lezlee Westine. "I'm concerned about the price of prescription drugs. I am also concerned about some of the possibilities for reimportation, if there are drugs that may not be labeled correctly," Flores said, adding that she would consider supporting imports if she could be assured the drugs were safe. Pfizer spokeswoman Darlene Taylor said the company also sponsored events at the Democratic convention in Boston. She said drug importation legislation is a top issue for the company, which doesn't believe such proposals are necessarily the solution to high drug costs. For the pharmaceutical industry, the convention offers a chance to build goodwill with a relatively modest investment compared with the cost of lobbying in Washington. It is the top lobbying spender among health care interests. The industry devoted at least $85 million to lobbying Congress and the Bush administration last year. Industry employees have given at least $11.5 million to national party committees and presidential and congressional candidates this election cycle. Roughly two-thirds went to Republicans. Bush is the top recipient of industry employees' donations, raising at least $870,000 compared with about $350,000 for the No. 2 beneficiary, Democratic rival John Kerry (website - news - bio) . --- On the Net: Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America: http://www.phrma.org/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 10, 2005 at 07:28:16 PT Related Article from The New York Daily News N.Y. Pols 'Open' To Medicinal Pot Law Joe Mahoney May 10, 2005 ALBANY - The state Senate and Assembly could be nearing a joint agreement to allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to seriously ill or dying patients.Senate Republican Leader Joe Bruno (R-Rensselaer) was described by his spokesman yesterday as being "open and receptive" to backing medicinal pot.Aides to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) called him "sympathetic" to the notion that marijuana could help ease the pain for seriously ill or dying people.But Gov. Pataki is not onboard. A Pataki spokesman said the governor believes there are already legal alternatives available for pain relief.The debate is expected to heat up over the next few weeks as lawmakers scramble to wrap up the legislative session by late June. A co-sponsor of the legislation, Assemblyman Scott Stringer (D-Manhattan), noted the state's largest doctors lobby supports the measure.Television talk show host Montel Williams, who admits using pot to help him cope with multiple sclerosis, is slated to be at the Capitol today to tout the legislation. Copyright: 2005 Daily News, L.P. http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/308148p-263614c.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by mayan on May 08, 2005 at 15:34:15 PT "Wrong Thing To Do" The state Conservative Party opposes the legalization of medical marijuana. "It's just the wrong thing to do," said Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long."Yeah, It's the wrong thing to do because if the pharmaceutical industry loses too much money they won't be able to make us rich with bribes." That's what Michael Long meant to say. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by lombar on May 08, 2005 at 12:55:01 PT As long as we're tossing images around.. Our society is like all of principals in The Wizard of Oz. We have the cowardly lions living in fear and engenedering more of the same so the tin men can keep the heartless machinery of war and consumption grinding along, while all the scarecrows are all scratching their heads wondering why things are so screwed up. The heroine (did I spell that right ;)) must go on a long and dangerous quest to find the truth. She pulls back the curtain to find a little man pulling a bunch of levers, something frail and human rather than the faceless eternal megaliths (corporations) that spin so much deception daily. In our world however, the wicked witch is also the Wizard...the good witch keeps a low profile to not get assasinated. The munchkins all listen to the wizard.Some of the prohibs need hearts, brains and courage to realize that the chicken littles are wrong. The sky won't fall and society won't crumble any faster if cannabis was completely legalized...the munchkins have the right to self determination and personal autonomy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on May 08, 2005 at 12:16:37 PT MikeEEEEE That's good! Now I'm singing again!If he only had a brain! I wish they would tell us how we can afford drugs all the time. Take this or take that but who will pick up the cost! If allowed Cannabis could be grown and it wouldn't have a cost because it would grow naturally like all herbs do. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by MikeEEEEE on May 08, 2005 at 11:40:49 PT Sing along, "If he only had a brain?" If he could think & reason he could explain his position, instead of saying "It's just the wrong thing to do." [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Taylor121 on May 08, 2005 at 11:31:51 PT Uhh conservative guy ""It's just the wrong thing to do," said Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long. "Why is it the wrong thing to do? What is this twisted sense of ethics that the social conservatives are throwing around? I don't understand the sense in it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by runderwo on May 08, 2005 at 10:33:44 PT same benefits? Legal drugs that provide the same benefits as marijuana? What about the same side effects? The same cost? [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by John Tyler on May 08, 2005 at 08:58:48 PT Change the laws now It is still funny that most of these political guys don’t give a hoot about cannabis until they or someone close to them has legal trouble regarding cannabis or they could use it medically. (Following a bout with prostate cancer, Bruno said last year he was warming to the idea.) Why can’t they wake up and correct the legal issues now so there will no longer be legal problems in the future? And the part about there already being enough drugs to treat all of the aliments is bologna. The pharmaceutical companies come out with new products that duplicate products already on the market all the time. For example, there are three different kinds of erectile dysfunction drugs on the market from three different producers. Why do we need so many when one is already on the market? That is not a reason it is an excuse. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 08, 2005 at 08:13:03 PT Related Article from The Associated Press Republican Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Legalize Medical MarijuanaMay 8, 2005Albany, N.Y. -- A Republican lawmaker has introduced a bill in the state Senate to legalize marijuana for medical use.Senator Vincent Leibell, from Dutchess County, offers the measure that would let doctors prescribe marijuana to patients with life-threatening, degenerative or permanently disabling conditions.Leibell tells the New York Post the controversial bill is not decriminalization of pot, just an exception for "a narrow part of the population under closely controlled medical standards."The bill in the Republican-controlled state Senate differs slightly from one in the Democrat-controlled Assembly.But Leibell and Assembly Health Committee Chairman Richard Gottfried, a Manhattan Democrat, plan to hold a bipartisan press conference on the issue Tuesday -- along with TV talk show host Montel Williams.Williams is prescribed medical marijuana by a California doctor to help deal with his multiple sclerosis. Last year, he urged Governor Pataki and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno to follow the 10 states that have legalized cannabis for medical purposes.Copyright: 2005 The Associated Press [ Post Comment ] Post Comment