http://polhudson.lohudblogs.com/2009/04/17/hundred...Powered by ShareThis

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http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wamc/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1495124

 . . . have been rallying all afternoon in East Capitol Park in Albany. Hundreds of people have gathered to hear speeches in favor of legalizing marijuana use and listen to live bands. The event is sponsored by New York Citizens Against Marijuana Prohibition and Damn Sam Productions. The Grateful Dead are performing in Albany tonight.
The groups are asking people in favor of legalizing marijuana to sign petitions and write letters to Gov. David Paterson and members of the Legislature. A sample letter on Damn Sam’s Web site says New York could raise at least $65.5 million a year in new tax revenues if it legalized marijuana for adult use and hemp, which can be used as an industrial crop for food, paper, fuel and other uses. The state could save millions of dollars on police, court, jail and prisons, it says.
The state Legislature has considered legalizing marijuana for medical use. A bill to do that passed the Democrat-controlled Assembly in 2007 and 2008 but not the Senate, which was led by Republicans at the time. Democrats now hold a 32-30 majority. The Assembly bill, which has been introduced again this session, would allow patients to have up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and 12 plants. Senate Health Committee Chairman Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, is sponsoring the bill in his chamber.
Pot has been found to relieve nausea, increase appetite, reduce muscle spasms and intraocular (within the eye) pressure and alleviate chronic pain in patients. It is often used for people with AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis and glaucoma. Its use is controversial, and people who are against legalizing it believe doing so could increase drug abuse and crime.