[Treetops]

https://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=642643

ALBANY -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who in last year's campaign shut the door on a medical marijuana law, now says he's reconsidering.

The Democrat says he's talking to both sides of the issue, but hasn't changed his view opposing the prescription use of marijuana.

In the week before his election in November, Cuomo said the dangers of legalizing marijuana even for medicinal use outweigh the benefits. Cuomo said then that he had smoked marijuana in his youth.

On Tuesday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie approved that state's medical marijuana program. Should Cuomo and state lawmakers follow suit and legalize medical marijuana in New York? Or should it remain illegal?

Democratic State Senator Diane Savino of Staten Island says New York must follow New Jersey's lead to help patients of cancer, multiple sclerosis and other diseases.

“Anyone who has watched a loved one struggle with a debilitating illness would do almost anything to help alleviate their pain,” Savino said in her letter to Cuomo. "We need to follow this example and pass legislation to allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana when no other option is available.”

If New York approved the use of medical marijuana, would you or anyone you know benefit from it?

New Jersey is the 21st state to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report