Issues: Controlled Substances

New Data Finds NY Leads the Nation in Marijuana Arrests

Across State, Black New Yorkers 4.5 Times More Likely to Be Arrested as White New Yorkers; Disparity is 9-to-1 in Brooklyn and Manhattan

ALBANY -- With new data highlighting dramatic racial disparities in low-level marijuana arrests around New York, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assemblymember Karim Camara, members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, the Drug Policy Alliance, the New York Civil Liberties Union, VOCAL-NY, and community members made an end-of-session push for Senate passage of legislation to bring consistency and fairness to marijuana arrests.

Legislation Responds To Tragically Similar Cases In Buffalo, Rochester Areas

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, 59th District), Chair of the Senate’s Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections Committee, announced today that the New York State Senate passed legislation (S.4772) to increase penalties for those who commit vehicular manslaughter and have a history of serially driving under the influence.                                          

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) announced that the New York State Senate today passed legislation to address the threat posed to the public by “legal” but dangerous drugs.  The bill (S1686) criminalizes the sale and possession of synthetic marijuana and “bath salts.”

The New York State Senate today passed a bill increasing penalties for people who sell drugs in playgrounds and parks.

ALBANY, NEW YORK – On Monday afternoon, the New York State Senate passed legislation enabling District Attorneys to expedite eviction proceedings against individuals who use their home as a base for criminal operations. Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) is the prime sponsor of the legislation. 

The New York State Senate today passed two bills that would prevent prescription drug fraud, theft and abuse. The measures address the illegal distribution of controlled substances by helping to reduce the availability of black market prescription forms and prosecuting “pill mills” that issue prescriptions and knowingly dispense controlled substances for profit.

With renewed calls for vigilance and increased public safety following the tragic bombings in Boston and the foiling of a terrorist plot to attack a train traveling across the state between New York and Toronto, the New York State Senate today passed a package of anti-crime legislation including a bill that would require convicted terrorists to serve their full prison sentence.