A 59-year-old state assemblyman who voted against a bill to legalize medical marijuana was arrested for possession of the drug after state police pulled him over at 10 a.m. Thursday for speeding and noticed a suspicious odor, police said.
Assemblyman Steve Katz, a Republican from Mohegan Lake, was pulled over while traveling on I-87. Police said he was going 80 mph in a 65-mph zone.
The trooper noticed the odor of marijuana and found Katz "in possession of a small bag" of the drug, police said.
Katz, who was elected in November 2010 and serves parts of Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties, was released on an appearance ticket. He voted against legalizing medical marijuana last June.
He said in a statement that the arrest would not affect his service.
"This should not overshadow the work I have done over the years for the public and my constituency," he said. "I am confident that once the facts are presented that this will quickly be put to rest."
Katz is a veterinarian and is married with four daughters, according to his assembly bio.
