Politician To Stop New York Recreational Marijuana Push, ‘It’s About Money’

Despite the best efforts of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to legalize recreational marijuana in the state, strong resistance is brewing from the counties, suburbs, and sheriffs. In fact, in many counties, the matter is snowballing into a political issue.

The governor did anticipate resistance from different parts of the state. There is an option for counties with a population exceeding 100,000 to back out from implementing the legalization of weed’s sale in their respective areas.

Examples include North Hempstead in Nassau County. The former voted against the sale of marijuana while Hempstead urged for a one-year moratorium.

Strong resistance from a Republican politician

However, the most notable opposition to the move has come from an individual politician, Rob Trotta. He is a Republican candidate in fray fighting for the Suffolk County executive post.

He has come out against the legalization of recreational marijuana and made a spirited defense of his stand.

Trotta, a retired cop called for the complete ban on the sale of recreational weed in the county. He said “reefer madness” should never be allowed.

He alleged “money considerations” driving the move.

“This is about one thing and one thing only: money.”

Reefer refers to marijuana cigarettes. “We can’t have people driving around stoned all the time,” Trotta added.

To nip the plan in the bud, Trotta suggested heavy taxation to stop the use of marijuana. Cuomo wanted 22 percent taxes on the manufacture and sale of marijuana products.

Gov. Cuomo wanted recreational marijuana made legal in New York. The governor, who in the past called it a “gateway drug” later modified the stance.

Already 10 states and Washington, D.C has declared recreational marijuana legal.

Sheriffs say the crime rate will increase

Meanwhile, sheriffs from across the state came out against the move.

Sheriffs across the state have taken a unified stand against the legalization of recreational marijuana in New York.

“I strongly oppose the legalization of recreational marijuana use in New York State because I know that the public health and safety of our community would suffer as a result,” said Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck.

Schenck said legal recreational marijuana would lead to “an increase in drugged driving, traffic deaths, crime rates and use by our children.”

Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood said the state Sheriff’s Association had unanimously opposed the matter in January.

Quoting from the study, “The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact,” the sheriffs highlighted the adverse impact on the community coming from its legalization.

The study noted the surge in marijuana-related traffic deaths in the state. It doubled up from 55 in 2013 to 125 deaths in 2016.

A cannabis plant carries more than 100 chemicals or cannabinoids. Two of the most important chemicals include Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that produces a “high” on the user. However, Cannabidiol (CBD) causes no euphoria. Medical marijuana will have a higher CBD content, while the recreational version will be high on THC content.

Other than marijuana (Cannabis Indica) yet another variant of cannabis is hemp (Cannabis Sativa) differing in the intensity of the chemicals contained, according to users.