Albany – Today, The New York State Senate Health Committee will vote on the Compassionate Care Act– S.4406-B (Savino), marking the first time the NYS senate has taken up the issue in years. The Compassionate Care Act is New York’s comprehensive medical marijuana bill and will help provide relief to thousands of New Yorker’s who are currently suffering with debilitating medical conditions such as, cancer, multiple sclerosis, severe seizure disorders, and other serious conditions. Traveling from New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Central New York, and Western New York, patients will gather in Albany for an advocacy day and hear the Health Committee debate the bill. The bill would create one of the nation’s most tightly regulated medical marijuana program and allow seriously ill patients access to a small amount of marijuana under the supervision of their healthcare provider.
Patients and caregivers will attend the Health Committee hearing.
What: Compassionate Care NY Advocacy Day
When: Tuesday, March 20th – Hearing at Noon – Press Conference Immediately Following
Location: New York State Capitol, Room 124
Albany, NY
Who (patient and providers, including):
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Holly Anderson, Rochester — Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester
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Dawn Carney, Mount Vernon – Person living with HIV/AIDS
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Dr. Laura Decker, Kingston – Physician and grandmother of Mable who moved to CO from with her mother to treat a seizure disorder
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Christine Emerson, Rochester – Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and parent of child with Dravet Syndrome
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Missy Miller, Atlantic Beach, Long Island – Parent of child with intractable seizure
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Tracy Ofri, Valley Stream, Long Island – MS patient
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Nancy Rivera, Troy – Grandmother and four-time cancer survivor
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Lisa Roche-Kuprian, Little Falls, NY – A registered nurse (RN) and caregiver
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Susan Rusinko, Auburn – MS patient
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Cindy Tangney, Chester – Grandmother of child with severe seizure disorder; the family recently had to relocate to CO to get their medicine
Momentum for the Compassionate Care Act continues to build. Last week Republican Senator John Bonacic (R-Middletown) confirmed his support for the legislation, becoming the 5th Republican Senator to announce his support for the Compassionate Care Act, following Senator George Maziarz (R – Newfane), Senator Mark Grisanti (R, IP – Buffalo), Senator Tim O’Mara (R, C – Big Flats, Elmira) and bill co-sponsor, Senator Joe Robach (R, C, IP – Rochester).
Patients and caregivers will be in Albany every week between now and the end of session to demand legislators take up the issue.
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