Andy Goodell
Assemblyman Andy Goodell is concerned with the recent legalization of marijuana in New York State saying it won’t eliminate the black market and will negatively impact youth. New York is the 16th state to legalize recreational marijuana.
The legislation is projected, when fully implemented, to bring in $350 million-dollars in tax revenue, of which around $100-million dollars will go to the cost of running the program and enforcement.
Goodell said the legislation will not eliminate the black market,
“It imposes huge taxes on the sale of legal marijuana which means that the illegal marijuana sales will have a huge cost advantage. Second, and this is most astounding aspect of it, rather than increase the penalties for illegal sales, since you can now go into the legal business, it did the exact opposite. It dramatically reduced the criminal penalties for illegal sales.”
Goodell said his other concern is that the legislation doesn’t protect youth including reducing criminal penalty of sales to youth,
“It provided an affirmative defense if the person selling to the young person is only 3 years older or less, well that’s where young people would buy the bulk of their illicit marijuana anyway. So, we virtually make it lawful for someone who is within 3 years older to sell to young people.”
Goodell said a third concern about the legalization is the impact on driving while under the influence,
“And the data from other states that have legalized recreational marijuana show a dramatic increase in the number of serious injuries or fatalities involving drivers who test positive for marijuana.”
While individuals, 21 years of age and older, may now legally carry up to 3-ounces of cannabis, the sale of marijuana will not be legal until April 2022. Local municipalities will have the option to pass laws banning dispensaries and consumption licenses.
Marijuana consumers deserve and demand equal rights and protections under our laws that are currently afforded to the drinkers of far more dangerous and deadly, yet perfectly legal, widely accepted, endlessly advertised and even glorified as an All-American pastime, alcohol.
Plain and simple!
Legalize Nationwide!
It’s time for us, the majority of The People to take back control of our national marijuana policy. By voting OUT of office any and all politicians who very publicly and vocally admit to having an anti-marijuana, prohibitionist agenda! Time to vote’em all OUT of office. Period. Plain and simple.
Politicians who continue to demonize Marijuana, Corrupt Law Enforcement Officials who prefer to ruin peoples lives over Marijuana possession rather than solve real crimes who fund their departments toys and salaries with monies acquired through Marijuana home raids, seizures and forfeitures, and so-called “Addiction Specialists” who make their income off of the judicial misfortunes of our citizens who choose marijuana, – Your actions go against The Will of The People and Your Days In Office Are Numbered! Find new careers before you don’t have one.
The People have spoken! Get on-board with Marijuana Legalization Nationwide, or be left behind and find new careers. Your choice.
I guess Mr. Goodell isn’t aware that prison is much harsher than any consequence that marijuana provides.
So he should be asked why he would make the consequences of marijuana use harsher than they would be otherwise?
What does society gain from making marijuana smokers criminals?
Mr. Goodell, in fact, keep your children out of my face, society has been nerfed enough for the sake of the children, mostly by child molesting hypocrites, that call themselves “Conservative Republicans”.
Now, go shake hands with Mr. Trump and remember that I told you to go pound sand.