Senators Push Bill To End Federal Ban In States With Approved Medical Marijuana
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Two local U.S. senators introduced a bill on Sunday that would end a federal ban in states where medical marijuana has been made legal.
Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) were joined by five New York and New Jersey families who would benefit from the legislation; families who they say should be able to access treatment without fear of federal prosecution.
"They're most concerned about their kids being taken away by social services," Gillibrand told 1010 WINS. "So they will forgo treatment or use other drugs that unfortunately have harsher effects and often harsh side effects."
The bill would prevent federal law enforcement from prosecuting patients, doctors and caregivers in states who have approved the use of medical marijuana.
Booker told 1010 WINS many people are suffering because they can't get access to the medicine they need -- medicine even doctors believe their patients should have.
"This bill says enough is enough," Booker said. "By moving it to a Schedule 2 drug, it really opens the door for it to have a medical purpose.
"And in the 23 states that have no approved medical marijuana, it basically starts to relieve the incongruence where states are moving in one way and the federal government is still saying what you're doing is illegal."
The legislation has been co-signed by Sens. Rand Paul (R-K.Y.) and Dean Heller (R-N.V.).