Soon, it could be legal to sell and use sparklers in New York, but not to light up medical marijuana.
As the State Assembly and Senate wound down its session last night (and this morning), they acted on a slew of bills dealing with big statewide issues and matters that were specific to single communities. So in the spirit of the glorious mess that is New York’s wait-until-the-last-minute legislative session, here are some highlights:
- Sparklers could once again be legal in New York, as long as Governor Andrew Cuomo signs the bill passed by the Senate and Assembly. The state currently treats them the same as illegal fireworks.
- Cuomo and Legislature leaders hashed out a deal on medical marijuana which, as the Gothamist website so eloquently put it, doesn’t include marijuana. Instead, it’ll allow five state-selected organizations to grow a limited number of pot plants, but not for patients to smoke. Most likely, the state will allow the distribution of pot extracts and oils, which can be eaten or consumed as inhaled vapor. As of this afternoon, the Senate and Assembly had passed the legislation, so the bill will now head to the governor.
- The Senate and Assembly passed bills that would add Family Court judges. Under the legislation, New York City would get nine new judges in 2015; Albany, Broome, Chautauqua, Franklin, Nassau, Oneida, Oswego, Schenectady, Suffolk, Ulster, and Westchester counties would each get one new judge in 2015; and Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Monroe, and Warren counties would each receive one additional judge in 2016.
- The Assembly and Senate also passed legislation to fund the second phase of a large Rochester City School District construction project. The legislation for the $1.2 billion Facilities Modernization Project was not supported by all members of the local delegation, however. Democratic Assembly member David Gantt voted against the measure, saying he was concerned about an ongoing FBI investigation into the project’s first phase. Republican Assembly member Bill Nojay voted against the bill for the same reason.
- Both houses of the Legislature passed legislation allowing the state to sell property at the Industry Residential Center in Rush to Monroe County. The county is using the property for its new juvenile detention center.
- The Assembly passed legislation to allow Monroe County to tack a surcharge onto wireless phone bills. County officials say the fee will help pay for the county’s 911 and emergency communications systems. The Senate hasn’t passed the measure yet, and it’s unclear whether it plans to vote on it during this morning’s session.
- The fate of the Child Safe Products Act is still up in the air. The Assembly has passed the bill, but it’s unclear if it will get a vote in the Senate. The bill has much support, except from lobbyists who’ve worked hard to kill it.
This post was updated at 2:30 p.m.
This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2014.
Non of this legislation means anything to me. I continue to feel poorer than ever. Only Howie Hawkins of the Green Party gives me any hope. It seems he has no chance; just like me.
So the New York State Legislature has declared that marijuana is a medicine, defined the afflictions that it is to be prescribed for, who will grow it and dispense it, and the form in which will be administered. Our legislators will instruct medical doctors on how it is to be prescribed. I wonder when anyone in New York government earned degrees in medicine that makes them expert enough to write medical-related laws? I recall a TV commercial in which an actor says “I’m not a doctor but I play one on TV” That would seem to apply here. I didn’t hear anything about the NY legislators consulting with the American Medical Association or any other physician organizations on their opinion of “medical” marijuana. No pharmaceutical companies were consulted that I am aware of. It makes me wonder what else our legislators can define as “medicine” – magnets? mineral water? mushrooms? Tic Tacs?
I used to play with sparklers when I was a kid. I never had any problems. This is the one legislation that makes the most sense. Hopefully, there won’t be an extra tax and special license to enjoy them. All these exorbitant fees and taxes make NYS a terrible place to live and work. I guess you’ve got to buy a dead mall or film scenes from a movie to make a go of it here.
The school modernization legislation – smells fishy as hell. Why not wait until people know what the hell is going on?!! SOMEBODY FOLLOW THE MONEY PLEASE!
Governor Cuomo not giving counties .35 cents collected by wireless cell phones. He’s keeping the money. That .35 cents should go to counties 911 call centers for fire and emergency calls not in the pocket of Mr. Cuomo. I have filed a complaint with the FCC you should to it’s called fraud.