Wednesday: Patients, Families, Doctors Host Medical Marijuana Educational Forum in Syracuse, New York

East Syracuse – Wednesday, patients, families, advocates, and doctors will host an educational forum in East Syracuse. The public forum is part of the March for Compassion—a month-long series of actions and events across the state to educate New Yorkers about medical cannabis and build support for New York’s comprehensive medical marijuana proposal – the Compassionate Care Act (A.6357-A -Gottfried) / S.4406-A -Savino).

Last week, New York’s comprehensive medical marijuana proposal was included in the State Assembly’s one-house budget proposal, for the first time ever, jumpstarting negotiations with the Senate and Governor. If the Senate acts, medical marijuana could be passed as part of the budget by the April 1st deadline.

In the last few weeks, Republican support for the bill has continued to grow with four Republican State Senators publicly supporting the Compassionate Care Act, including Senator George Maziarz (R – Newfane), Senator Mark Grisanti (R, IP – Buffalo), Senator Joe Robach (R, C, IP – Rochester) and Senator Tim O’Mara (R, C – Big Flats, Elmira). Advocates are confident there are the votes to pass the legislation in the Senate. According to a recent Quinnipiac poll, nearly 90% of New Yorker voters support comprehensive medical marijuana legislation.

Tomorrow’s forum is part of a series of educational forums and actions, called March for Compassion, pressuring the State Senate to pass the Compassionate Care Act.  Last week, forums were held in Long Island and Buffalo to standing-room-only crowds, and today dozens of patients and caregivers descended on Albany to demand passage of the bill.  Compassionate Care NY, a coalition of more than 100 patients, 650 providers, and almost 70 organizations who support the Compassionate care Act, also launched a video series last week to draw attention to the needless suffering of patients across New York.

Speakers will include Dessa Bergen-Cico, PhD, Syracuse University; Gene Tinelli, MD, SUNY Upstate Medical Center; Melanie Martin, a local pharmacist; Donna Romano and Susan Rusinko of MS Resources of Central New York; Kathy Annable, parent and caregiver; and Julie Netherland, PhD Compassionate Care NY.

WHAT:  A MATTER OF COMPASSION: Medical Marijuana in New York State

WHEN:
Wednesday, March 19th, 2014
Check in 6:30 PM
Program at 7:00 PM

WHERE:
Barbagallo’s Restaurant
6344 East Molloy Road
East Syracuse, New York 13057

RSVP:  [email protected]