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New York to legalise medical use of marijuana

Governor Andrew Cuomo to announce drug's legalisation for those with serious illnesses

Tim Walker
Sunday 05 January 2014 14:00 GMT
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Colorado became the first US state where shops could legally sell recreational marijuana on January 1
Colorado became the first US state where shops could legally sell recreational marijuana on January 1

Days after the world’s first legal recreational cannabis dispensaries were opened in Colorado, the New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is to announce the legalisation of medical marijuana for those with serious illnesses in his state.

New York will join 20 other US states and Washington DC in permitting the sale, possession and use of marijuana for medical purposes. Washington state has also legalised recreational marijuana.

According to The New York Times, Governor Cuomo will unveil the plans in his annual State of the State address on Wednesday. Several bills to legalise the drug have made it through the New York state assembly only to be stalled in the Republican-controlled state senate.

Governor Cuomo intends to overrule the senate with an executive order, allowing 20 New York hospitals to prescribe cannabis to patients suffering from serious  conditions.

Governor Cuomo’s change of heart reflects a growing shift in public opinion on the issue of marijuana  legalisation.

Recent polls suggest about half of the US population now supports an end to its  prohibition.

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