Savino Pushes For Continuation of NY Medical Cannabis Program
State Senator Diane Savino (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) urged New York-based US Attorneys to allow the state’s medical cannabis program to continue without unnecessary federal interference yesterday.
In a letter sent on Monday, Savino highlighted the carefully crafted law and tightly regulated model that New York uses for its medical cannabis program. She also discussed the illnesses that patients in the program face, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, ALS and Parkinson’s disease, as well as the benefits that children suffering from seizures have seen. Savino was the Senate sponsor of the 2014 Compassionate Care Act that made New York the 23rd state to allow the medical use of cannabis. Since its enactment, over 40,000 patients have been certified for the program, with numbers expected to grow.
The letter comes in the wake of Attorney General Jeff Sessions announcement of new policy aimed at state marijuana laws. According to initial reports, in a marijuana enforcement memo sent out last Thursday, Sessions rescinded the Obama administration’s guidance, which enabled states to legalize marijuana without federal intervention. Sessions’s one-page memo makes it clear that marijuana possession and distribution is against federal law, and it will direct U.S. attorneys to approach these cases as they do all other cases when enforcing federal laws.
“I am writing to encourage you to respect the wishes of the citizens and the elected officials of New York State and allow New York’s carefully regulated and closely monitored medical cannabis program to continue without undue interference from the Federal government,” Senator Savino wrote.
“In light of the grave needs of these patients,” Senator Savino concluded, “and in light of New York State’s tremendous regulatory model and enforcement system, I respectfully encourage you to abide by the above eight priorities in your enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act…and avoid undue interference with the limited number of medical cannabis companies in our state.”
Hikind Announces Increased Pool Hours For Women
Assembly member Dov Hikind (D-Borough Park) announced yesterday that women will now receive additional swim time at the Metropolitan Pool Recreation Center in Williamsburg.
Yesterday, Hikind thanked Mayor Bill de Blasio for the extra time allotted to women and said the pool at 261 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn will be adding an additional hour of women’s only swim at 6pm on Thursday evenings, beginning February 8.
In 2016, the Parks Department announced a reduction in women’s-only swim hours at the local pools from four days a week to two while also cutting hours from 8 to four. The issue came to a head last May, when a local Hasidic women confronted the Mayor on the issue during a town hall. Women who use the Metropolitan Pool, most of whom are the neighborhoods Hasidic women, don’t swim with men because they adhere to strict rules of modesty.
“Numerous women called my office when the hours were cut. For Observant Jewish women, there is no choice: If they aren’t permitted to swim separately from men, they are not permitted to swim. The Constitution permits reasonable accommodation and that’s all we asked for from the very start,” said Hikind.
This accommodation does not take away from the general public. On the contrary: It is victory for women and human rights, allowing religious women equal access to public services. While I’m pleased with this victory, I fully intend to fight for additional hours for these women,” added Hikind.
The Metropolitan Pool Recreation Center hours for women are Sundays 2:45pm-4:45pm (women and girls), Wednesdays 9am-11am (women only) and, beginning February 8, Thursdays 6pm-7pm (women only).
Cumbo Commemorates 45th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
City Council Member Laurie Cumbo (D-Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Crown Heights), Majority Leader, alongside Helen Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), Chair of the Committee on Women, commemorated the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade yesterday.
The monumental Supreme Court decision, which legalized abortion within the United States, has faced increasing opposition by those who have sought to restrict the rights of women and eliminate safe, legal access to the procedure. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 2017 was a critical year in the fight to protect access to reproductive healthcare services. Nineteen states moved to restrict abortion rights and/or access to healthcare services, but 21 states took measures to increase women’s ability to exercise their reproductive rights.
In their commemoration of Roe vs Wade, the Council Members celebrated the Women’s Marches across the U.S. last weekend that unified Americans of all ages and backgrounds against sexism, racism, and xenophobia. Nearly 70 percent of Americans support abortion access, according to NARAL Pro-Choice America. Additionally, the duo maintain that Americans should not allow divisive rhetoric from Capitol Hill or the White House to undermine the many years of progress in the fight for reproductive freedom.
“As the birthplace of the Women’s Rights Movement, the State of New York State has consistently been at the forefront of advancing gender equity. Forty-five years after the landmark decision in Roe v. Wade, a woman’s right to choose remains under attack – jeopardizing millions of lives across the United States,” said Cumbo.
“We cannot rely on the Trump Administration and GOP Congress to stand with women of all backgrounds and uphold our right to reproductive healthcare. Therefore, we must take every recourse to protect equal access to preventative care including the codification of Roe v. Wade into the New York State Constitution,” added Cumbo.
Cymbrowitz Commends Mustaciuolo Appointment, NYCHA Acting General Manager
Assembly member Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach), Chair of the Assembly’s Housing Committee, commended Mayor Bill de Blasio’s appointment of Vito Mustaciuolo as the new Acting General Manager of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) yesterday.
Before being elected to the Assembly, Cymbrowitz served as Deputy Commissioner of Development at HPD, among other housing positions. Mustaciuolo has served as Deputy Commissioner in HPD’s Division of Enforcement and Neighborhood Services since 2009. As NYCHA’s principal administrator, Mustaciuolo will oversee the maintenance of all developments. He succeeds Michael Kelly as NYCHA’s General Manager.
“I had the pleasure of working with Vito Mustaciuolo at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development, so I know firsthand that he is a true professional who will bring to NYCHA his unparalleled expertise and knowledge of the challenges facing public housing in New York City,” said Cymbrowitz.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Vito, Chair Olatoye and the entire NYCHA team to ensure that the 400,000 New York City residents who call NYCHA home have the safe and quality housing they deserve,” added Cymbrowitz
Persaud To Offer Free Legal Services
State Senator Roxanne Persaud (D-Canarsie, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, East New York, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay) alongside New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) will offer free legal services this week.
The Mobile Legal Help Center event will provide free legal assistance on issues relating to: Housing (Tenants Only), Public Benefits, Disability Benefits, Healthcare Benefits, Identity Theft, Debt Management, Consumer Credit, Immigration, Domestic Violence, Divorce, Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Employment, Superstorm Sandy
The Mobile office is part of Persaud’s outreach into the community to provide our constituents with ease of access to relevant services. We encourage all constituents to take advantage of these free resources.
at her District Office.
The event is slated for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 25, at Persaud’s District Office, 1222 East 96th Street in Canarsie. Legal services are by appointments only. To schedule an appointement call 718-649-7653.
