ALBANY — The Democrats who control the State Assembly, many of them black or Latino residents of New York City, saw a proposal to decriminalize the open possession of small amounts of marijuana as a simple matter of justice: too many black and Latino men were being arrested because, after being stopped by the police, they were forced to empty their pockets.
But the Republicans who run the State Senate, all of them white and most of them from suburban or rural districts, saw decriminalization differently: as an invitation for young people to use drugs and as a declaration that Albany was soft on crime.
"Marijuana still is a gateway drug to so many other much more dangerous things," said Senator John J. Flanagan, a Long Island Republican.
The differing life experiences, and worldviews, of lawmakers in the two chambers proved too much to overcome in the final days of this legislative session, and on Tuesday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo declared his marijuana proposal dead.
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6 comments:
"Marijuana still is a gateway drug to so many other much more dangerous things," said Senator John J. Flanagan, a Long Island Republican.
OMG get out of the 70's. That has been proven false many years ago.
Stop making excuses and do what the people want.
I'll explain it again with my tired eyes look.... The only thing that would make marijuana a "Gateway drug" is the facy that in order to buy it, onr must go to the cocaine/ heroin/ crack store. When out of stock, some elect to buy another product that is on the shelf for their weekend.
Sell it at a legal store, and the other items will not be on the shelf. DUH. Do what the people want.
11:59 comment: Move back to Kenya with Obama in November, and you all can smoke all the weed you want than!
I hate being around pot smokers....they act stupid.
Up in Smoke said...
11:59 comment: Move back to Kenya with Obama in November, and you all can smoke all the weed you want than!
June 22, 2012 6:02 AM
Is there pot in Kenya? I wouldn't know. But I sure don't want to go there with or without obammy. You can have my seat on plane.
And I believe you meant then, not than.
I don't smoke pot, usually. But I know enough to see that the 'war on drugs' is a complete failure.
Unless you're one of the ones who profit from it. THEN business is up.
I hate being around pot smokers....they act stupid.
June 22, 2012 8:06 AM
Unlike people like yourself who act stupid sober?
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