Syracuse Post-Standard: October 9, 2018

"Marijuana prohibition has devastated communities across New York state," said Howie Hawkins of Syracuse, the Green Party candidate for governor in the upcoming election. He called drug enforcement "biased," leading to "mass incarceration of low income people of color."

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By Don Cazentre

EAST SYRACUSE, NY -- Though there were a few skeptics, the majority of speakers at Tuesday night's Central New York hearing into how the state should regulate recreational use of marijuana favor the idea of legalization.

That fits with the agenda for the hearing: A state Health Department-led report commissioned by Gov. Andrew Cuomo earlier this year found that the positives of legal pot use outweigh the negatives.

This hearing at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel near Carrier Circle -- one of 17 being held across the state -- was aimed at gathering public input into how to write the rules for recreational use.

Many of the dozens of speakers used the phrase "when, not if" to describe New York's move to legalize marijuana for more than medical purposes.

"At last the powers that be seem to have accepted the idea ... it's not the devil's weed that government propaganda always told us it was," said Nicholas Eyle, a longtime Central New York advocate for legal, regulated drugs.

There was some disagreement within the pro-legalization contingent about the best way to proceed.

Some for example, support tight regulation. Dr. Brian Johnson, chairman of the Onondaga County Medical Society, favors state-controlled stores and outlets, arguing that is the best way to avoid unnecessary costs to taxpayers and control the distribution.

"It's like alcohol -- the people who use it first thing in the morning get addicted," Johnson said. If the state is going to legalize it, he said, "... let the state get into the business of selling it."

Others argued against tight state control. They contend New York's current controlled controlled medical marijuana program, which began in 2016, has led to state dispensaries that limit access and drive up costs to consumers.

"I want to grown my own," said David Clifford, who has lived in states where marijuana use has been legalized. "I can do it better that anybody."

Other speakers also cited weaknesses in New York's current medical marijuana program as a reason for pushing ahead with legal use for all adults.

Sarah Stenuf of Auburn is a U.S. combat veteran, who suffered a brain injury during a mortar attack in Afghanistan. New York's medical program doesn't go far enough is providing marijuana for those with seizures or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

"I know what it's like to come home hopeless," said Stenuf, whio has founded Veteran's Ananda, a retreat for injured vets. "Cannabis saved my life."

She argues that legalizing recreational marijuana would end "the stigmas and norms of our society" that hinder the drug's use for those in need.

Many other pro-marijuana speakers cited the criminal prosecution for drug crimes that disproportionately affects low income and minority communities.

"Marijuana prohibition has devastated communities across New York state," said Howie Hawkins of Syracuse, the Green Party candidate for governor in the upcoming election. He called drug enforcement "biased," leading to "mass incarceration of low income people of color."

But other speakers urged the state to consider the dangers of legal pot use.

Larry Carp, who said he has taught at Cornell and Syracuse universities, cited in particular the dangers of smoke.

"It's poison -- it has the same toxins as tobacco smoke," Carp said. "Marijuana smoke is not racist -- it will go after anyone, anytime."

Several doctors and pediatricians urged the state to consider the dangers of marijuana use on children.

Dr. Cynthia Bright, a Camillus pediatrician, said legalizing marijuana could send a message to teens that the drug may not really be harmful. "The feeling that it is a benign thing" would make it difficult to convince teens not to try it, she said.

"It (marijuana use) is proven to cause huge problems for children," Bright said.

Tuesday's hearing was conducted by Sandra Houston, a consultant to Cuomo on marijuana legislation, with the assistance of state Department of Health staff. The results of the statewide "listening" sessions will be used to help determine how to proceed on marijuana laws, Houston said.