Assemblywoman Galef Invites Public to Attend Town Meeting

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef is hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday November 29th from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Croton Free Library, 171 Cleveland Drive, Croton-on-Hudson 10520. The purpose of the meeting is to have an in depth pro/con discussion about if New York State should legalize the use of recreational marijuana. The event is free of charge, and no RSVP is required. Participants will also have the opportunity to fill out a survey, which will be used to help the Assemblywoman understand the views of those in her district about this issue.

Galef will be hosting experts on both sides of the issue at this Town Hall, who each bring their own unique perspective and expertise to the conversation. At the event will be Cristina Buccola, Esq. who is the founder of Cristina Buccola Counsel PLLC, and is in favor of legalizing recreational use of marijuana. Cristina has testified in front of the New York State and New Jersey Legislatures about cannabis regulatory programs, and is a member of the New York Cannabis Bar Association and the National Cannabis Bar Association. She is also the former General Counsel of High Times and was a partner in an adult-use cultivation concern.

Kevin Sabet, PhD will also be at the Town Hall as a voice in opposition to legalized recreational marijuana. Sabet worked in the Obama Administration from 2009-2011 as a Senior Advisor at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). He is currently the director of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, and directs the Drug Policy Institute at the University of Florida.

New York State legalized medical marijuana in 2014, which can be prescribed in a non-smokable form for a set list of ailments. The state also passed legislation in September of 2018 allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana in certain circumstances as an alternative to opioids for pain management (A11011B).

This fall, the Governor hosted listening tours throughout the state to garner input from community members on the possibility of regulating recreational marijuana. This issue is expected to be one of the first major pieces of legislation that New York lawmakers will debate in the upcoming legislative session. If such a bill were to pass, New York would be following many other states that have legalized recreational marijuana over the last few years.

Assemblywoman Galef said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for constituents to voice their opinion and join the state-wide conversation on this issue. I encourage all of my constituents to join me with their ideas, suggestions and questions.”

Assemblywoman Galef’s Town Hall on

Legalization of Recreational Marijuana

Thursday, November 29th

7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.

Croton Free Library

171 Cleveland Drive

Croton-on-Hudson 10520