Malliotakis changes position on legalizing medical marijuana
GOP lawmaker now says she’ll support it
Momentum appeared to be building in favor of the legalization of medical marijuana in New York State as lawmakers entered the home stretch of their legislative session.
As a sign of the growing support for legalized medical marijuana, a Brooklyn lawmaker who had previously been opposed to the idea suddenly announced that she is switching sides.
Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-C-Bay Ridge-Staten Island) has become the first Republican elected official in New York City to support legalizing pot for medical purposes.
Malliotakis, who has consistently voted against bills calling for medical marijuana to be legalized, announced her change of heart on Monday. The State Assembly has already approved a medical marijuana bill sponsored by Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Chelsea-Murray Hill), chairman of the Health Committee. The measure is now in the State Senate, where supporters, including state Sen. Diane Savino (D-Coney Island-Bensonhurst-Staten Island), the bill’s sponsor in that chamber, are racing against the clock to secure passage before the legislative session ends on June 19.