Andrew Cuomo on Drugs Democratic Governor

Opposes recreational marijuana as a gateway drug

Directed the Department of Health to study the potential effects of recreational cannabis legalization in New York. The Department of Health eventually recommended the state legalize recreational cannabis. (2018)
• Quote: "As of this date, I am unconvinced on recreational marijuana. If you choose to use marijuana recreationally, you know the law." (2017)
• Called cannabis a "gateway drug." (2017)
• Signed a bill to add PTSD to the list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. (2017)
• Signed a bill to classify industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity. (2017)
• Signed a bill to direct the Commissioner of Health to establish emergency access to medical cannabis for patients that need it. (2015)
• Signed a bill to create a broad medical cannabis program in New York. (2014)
• Declared his qualified support for medical cannabis after opposing it for many years. (2014)
• Proposed reducing penalties for possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis. (2012)

Let's create cannabis industry

Criminalize synthetic marijuana and designer drugs

We must make designer drugs like bath salts & synthetic marijuana Schedule I drugs--on par with heroin, LSD, marijuana, & ecstasy. Therefore, Governor Cuomo will propose legislation to criminalize the sale and possession of these substances, and ensure our laws give us the flexibility to immediately tackle the next iteration of designer drugs so not a single life is lost.

Decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana

"There is a blatant inconsistency. If you possess marijuana privately it is a violation, if you show it in public it's a crime. It's incongruous. It's inconsistent the way it has been enforced," Cuomo told reporters at a press conference in Albany on Monday.

One strike & you’re out drug policy for public housing

Rated C- by NORML, indicating a "hard-on-drugs" stance.

OnTheIssues.org interprets the 2016 NORML scores as follows:

• C-/D/F: `hard-on-drugs` stance (approx. 243 members)
• C: mixed record on drug reform (approx. 45 members)
• A/B: pro-drug-reform stance (approx. 293 members)

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law`s mission is to move public opinion sufficiently to achieve the repeal of marijuana prohibition so that the responsible use of cannabis by adults is no longer subject to penalty.

NORML is a nonprofit, public-interest lobby that for more than 30 years has provided a voice for those Americans who oppose marijuana prohibition. We represent the interests of the tens of millions of Americans who smoke marijuana responsibly and believe the recreational and medicinal use of marijuana should no longer be a crime.

NORML supports the removal of all criminal penalties for the private possession & responsible use of marijuana by adults, including the cultivation for personal use, and the casual nonprofit transfers of small amounts. This model is called `decriminalization.`

NORML additionally supports the development of a legally controlled market for marijuana, where consumers could purchase it from a safe, legal and regulated source. This model is referred to as `legalization.`

NORML believes that marijuana smoking is not for kids and should only be used responsibly by adults. As with alcohol consumption, it must never be an excuse for misconduct or other bad behavior. Driving or operating heavy equipment while impaired from marijuana should be prohibited.

NORML strongly supports the right of patients to use marijuana as a medicine when their physician recommends it to relieve pain and suffering.

Lastly, NORML supports the right of farmers to commercially cultivate hemp for industrial purposes, such as food and fiber production.