Cannabis has a pharmaceutical history that dates back thousands of years. In early U.S. history, doctors recognized marijuana's therapeutic benefits and its use was allowed under federal and individual state law. But in modern American society, the plant -known by various names ranging from Afghan to Mary Jane to Texas Tea - is considered a controlled substance and is generally illegal to possess or distribute. However, as recently as June 2010, New York legislators have been pushing for new laws that legalize marijuana for medical use.
With the introduction of Assembly Bill A916 and Senate Bill S4041-B, New York lawmakers are offering new legislation that would legalize the possession, manufacture, use, delivery, transfer, transport and administration of marijuana by specially designated medical care professionals and would direct the Department of Health to monitor and register all medical users of the drug. These bills have advanced further in the legislative process than any of their predecessors.
While medical professionals agree that marijuana is addictive, the medical community also has confirmed that the drug has beneficial properties. It has been used to treat patients with glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, severe pain, various cancers, multiple sclerosis and lung disease. Studies have shown that marijuana has been used effectively to treat symptoms including nausea, PMS, severe pain, lack of appetite and vomiting.
Since 1996, a handful of states have enacted codes that allow cultivation of medical marijuana. This year, eight states and the District of Columbia have pending legislation or ballot measures relating to the use, registration and monitoring of medical marijuana. While there is strong public support for legalizing medical use of the drug, federal law still prohibits doctors from prescribing it.
The push for legalization in New York comes after other states have shown considerable revenue from the legalized medical marijuana industry. In 2008, California boasted $100 million in state sales tax revenue from its $2 billion medical marijuana industry. Opponents of the New York law have their eyes on California, whose code is less restrictive and regulatory than New York's proposed legislation.
While New York lawmakers consider the legalization of medical marijuana, much of the medical community continues to support the use of marijuana for treatment of specific conditions. New York, just like other states considering the issue, must carefully weigh the impact that this legislation could have on law enforcement, public health and the public coffers.
