cannabisnews.com: Keep Medical Marijuana Out of New York Farm Fields Keep Medical Marijuana Out of New York Farm Fields Posted by FoM on January 09, 2001 at 13:10:35 PT By Marc Humbert, Associated Press Source: Boston.com While he has admitted to experimenting recreationally with marijuana in college, Gov. George Pataki said Tuesday he is opposed to letting New York farmers grow pot for medical purposes. The Republican governor was asked about the possibility of legalizing the cultivation of marijuana for medical use in the wake of the New York Farm Bureau's approval of a resolution supporting ''the legalization of medical marijuana.'' Asked whether he agreed with the stand of the normally conservative group, Pataki said, ''I certainly am not prepared to take that step.'' Pataki said he was opposed to the medical use of marijuana. California and eight other states have laws allowing the use of medical marijuana. In late November, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to rule on the Clinton administration's attempt to ban such marijuana use. State Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, a liberal Manhattan Democrat who has unsuccessfully pressed legislation for several years to legalize medical marijuana, said he was pleased to hear about the Farm Bureau's position. ''We'll certainly have to get in touch with them,'' said Gottfried, chairman of the Assembly's Health Committee. Gottfried said that while many politicians are opposed to the legislation, he felt most New Yorkers favored the idea. ''I think the people of New York are way ahead of most of their elected officials on this,'' he said. Supporters of marijuana use for medical purposes say it can reduce the nauseousness caused by chemotherapy treatments and ease the pain of debilitating diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Delegates to the state Farm Bureau's annual meeting in Buffalo last month approved the resolution as the convention was winding down, bureau spokesman Jerry Reed said. ''It probably will not be one of those issues we spend a lot of time on,'' Reed added. ''There are a lot more important things we need to work on for agriculture and for the farmers in the state. When it comes to ranking priority, it's certainly not one of the top ones.'' Pataki's comments came after a visit to the Bethlehem Town Hall in the suburbs of Albany where he handed out grants to local businesses hurt by landslides on May 15 and June 30. The landslides caused the closing of a portion of the main thoroughfare through town from May 15-Aug. 13. Pataki announced the award of $175,000 in federal money, providing $5,000 grants to 35 businesses hurt by the landslides. Complete Title: Pataki: Keep Medical Marijuana Out of New York's Farm Fields Source: Boston.comAuthor: Marc Humbert, Associated PressPublished: January 9, 2001Copyright: 2001 Boston Globe Electronic Publishing, Inc.Website: http://www.boston.com/CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by Dan Hillman on January 09, 2001 at 14:19:36 PT Propaganda ahoy! > Asked whether he agreed with the stand of the NORMALLY conservative group [farm bureau pro-medpot stance], Pataki said, ''I certainly am not prepared to take that step.'' Ironic ain't it? That republicans and conservatives have pushed much of the medpot reform forward. This article's author, Boston.com, is so used labelling the idea of medpot "liberal", that it must insert the word "normally" to make sure you get the right message... Hey, propaganda-mill folks! Maybe medpot isn't a "left vs. right" issue as you keep trying to make it...maybe it's a MEDICAL isssue...imagine that. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: