Letter to the Editor

Added risk on the road

John Lown, Maybrook
Posted 2/14/19

What is New York Governor Cuomo thinking ? With the pressing issues of tax relief, infrastructure and ethics reform needing legislative attention Cuomo turns away and is looking to legalize marijuana …

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Letter to the Editor

Added risk on the road

Posted

What is New York Governor Cuomo thinking ? With the pressing issues of tax relief, infrastructure and ethics reform needing legislative attention Cuomo turns away and is looking to legalize marijuana for recreational use as a top priority in the current legislative session. Apparently he has enough support in the state Assembly and Senate to make it law. This is what makes a big splash in newspaper headlines but certainly demonstrates the governor’s misalignment of priorities.

Once this law takes effect, do they know what will happen ? Of course Cuomo and his lawmaking cohorts know the problems that will arise. They know the Mary Jane law will be violated. Human nature tells us people will abuse the use of marijuana, get euphorically high and drive under the influence to the point of impairment. On the road these irresponsible people will put fellow motorists at risk as well as themselves. So now responsible drivers have this worry along with facing drunk drivers, texting drivers and motorists who constantly have cellphone to ear. Legal clearance for the use of cannabis is just another hit on the chin of public safety.

So why have this law on the books ? It’s simple. It’s a tragic tradeoff; profit at the expense of public safety. Cuomo and colleagues see dollar signs; a sales tax revenue windfall from a potential weed-producing multi-billion dollar industry. This is the paramount reason behind the law.

Of course as time goes on and cannabis-causing traffic deaths mount a new MADD ( mothers against drugged driving ) will form. This is all so sad.

Governor Cuomo and supporters will sugar-coat this law and describe it as PROGRESSIVE. That is hogwash!

Those who have a modicum of clear-eyed common sense and oppose the law will accurately label it as PERMISSIVE. New York state is both figuratively and literally going to pot. I pray our state doesn’t all go up in smoke!