A New York State Senate Committee has approved medical marijuana legislation, a key hurdle towards passage. The Assembly has approved similar legislation in the last term and Governor David Paterson supports it. If passed by the full Senate and again by the Assembly, it can therefore be expected to become law. (Corrected: I previously wrote that the Assembly passed it, incorrectly implying that they passed it this term).
This is a step forward. Opponents of medical marijuana say that it is a first step towards decriminalization or legalization. I certainly hope so.
Psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Szasz, MD criticizes medical marijuana as implying that the government has the right to prohibit drugs. On a philosophical level as a Libertarian, I quite agree with him. However, the Governor, the New York State Senate and Assembly, the media, the medical and legal establishments, the political class, nor the general public do not seem to share our philosophical rejection of state power on this question. Should we do nothing til there is a philosophical shift?
Medical marijuna is better than nothing. It is compassionate as it aiding those who are suffering right now.
It may pave the way to legalization by showing that the sky does not fall if people can have marijuana. If good change depends on the right philosophical agreement, much good would not have happened and will not happen. Let us have medical marijuna victory today and fight the other fight tomorrow.
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www.groundreport.com/articles.php?id=2862086 Hardfire TV Covers Celebrity-studded NY Medical Marijuana Benefit 5/14/08