Senator Gillibrand, Rochester Area Families Push For New Bipartisan Medical Marijuana Bill, Allowing New York State Patients- Including Veterans- To Access Necessary Care Without Fear Of Federal Prosecution When State Program Launches Next Year

Press Release

Standing at the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Rochester Area families with children and loved ones in need of treatment today pushed for the passage of new bipartisan legislation that will allow the use of medical marijuana in states where it is legal without fear of federal prosecution. Gillibrand's new bill the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion and Respect States (CARERS) Act would reschedule marijuana from a Schedule I to Schedule II drug to recognize it has accepted medical use, and would amend federal law to allow states to set their own medical marijuana policies. The bill would also permit VA doctors to prescribe veterans medical marijuana to treat serious injuries and chronic conditions. The legislation would not legalize medical marijuana in all 50 states, rather it would respect the states that set their own medical marijuana programs and prevents federal law enforcement from prosecuting patients, doctors and caregivers in those states. Currently, 23 states plus the District of Columbia have already legalized medical marijuana.

"The federal government should not get in between doctors and the families they treat who need to access to this medicine for their loved ones," said Senator Gillibrand. "It's time to modernize our laws and recognize the health benefits of medical marijuana. The CARERS Act will no longer put politicians between doctors and patients. It will let doctors do their job and give parents every available option to comfort their children."

"The single greatest frustration while advocating for medical marijuana at the state level was the need to also change federal regulations as well. Enacting a state law that would provide legal access to a Schedule I drug was not enough. Everyone wants the scientific research from our country, yet here in the US we are unable to conduct research on a Schedule I drug. This became a vicious, ridiculously frustrating circle. No state should face these dilemmas. Patient's lives matter the most. We applaud Senator Gillibrand for her indomitable leadership, her willingness to persevere on drug policy and, mostly, for standing up for the patients and families who continue to suffer from symptoms of diseases and the horrific side effects of treatment needlessly," said Holly Anderson, Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Coalition.

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