DYSFUCNTION

NY Legislature Kills Pot Proposal

Cuomo had called for decriminalization.

Well, it turns out Albany can do something: kill bills. A deadlock between the New York State Assembly—controlled by Democrats from mostly urban districts—and the Senate—controlled by Republicans from suburban areas—has caused the bill that would have decriminalized marijuana to go up in smoke. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed the measure two weeks ago, promoting it as a way to end the high number of arrests that occur after civilians are stopped and frisked. The bill had the backing of the New York Police Department, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and prosecutors, so many Democrats were shocked that the Senate Republicans did not support the measure—although Senate Republicans have refused to support many issues supported by Assembly Democrats in this election year.