Panel On Legalizing Marijuana In New York Set For Tonight

A special listening session on legalizing marijuana in New York is planned for tonight at Hofstra University, giving Long Island residents a chance to voice their opinions on regulating the drug in the Empire State.

The listening session, one of 17 that is being held across the state, is organized by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his Regulated Marijuana Workgroup. The workgroup is traveling around the state to hear from residents as part of its mission of drafting legislation to legalize marijuana use, which will then be considered by the legislature.

"Community input is critical as we work to draft balanced and comprehensive legislation on a regulated marijuana program in New York," Cuomo said. "The multi-agency report identified the benefits of a regulated marijuana market, and with these listening sessions we are taking another important step to develop a model program for New York. We look forward to hearing what New Yorkers in every corner of the state have to say."

Items to be discussed in the listening session include:

• Reducing the harms of illicit marijuana
• Reducing use of the unregulated market
• Reducing youth use by establishing an age limit to purchasing marijuana products
• Ensure that the communities that were most affected by the criminalization of marijuana can participate in and benefit from the regulated market
• Use of tax revenue for public good (e.g., program initiatives in public health, education, transportation, research, law enforcement, workforce development, and community reinvestment).
• Addressing the criminal records of individuals with marijuana-related offenses
• Ensure there is a means to make referrals for individuals who would benefit from treatment for problematic marijuana use
• Provide education to ensure that New Yorkers are well-informed of the changes in the law, the effects of marijuana and the risks of marijuana
• Continued access to marijuana for medical purposes consistent with the policies of New York State’s Medical Marijuana Program.

The listening sessions all consist of facilitated discussion, and are open to the public. It will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the amphitheater in the Student Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

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