Sanders Votes “Yes” for Medicinal Marijuana in New York State

On the final day of the legislative session, New York State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Queens) voted in favor of passing the bill (S7923) to legalize medicinal marijuana in New York State.

Before announcing his vote on the bill, Senator Sanders expressed his dismay at the onerous restrictions recently added to the legislation after an eleventh-hour accord between the bill’s sponsors, Senate Majority Co-leader Dean Skelos, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and Governor Andrew Cuomo was reached before today’s vote. Sanders remarked, “This is a very timid beginning, but perhaps it is a beginning.”

Authored by Senator Diane Savino, the bill ultimately passed by a final count of 49-10, and will now be considered by Governor Cuomo for enactment into law.

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The 10th Senatorial District includes Far Rockaway, Jamaica, South Jamaica, Rosedale, Richmond Hill, Rochdale Village, Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, and Springfield Gardens.