U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says the federal government should reform laws affecting medical marijuana — allowing states to set policies for its use.
The New York Democrat told members of The National Cannabis Industry Association on Monday that she's pushing for reforms she introduced last March with Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey.
Gillibrand says more families would benefit from medical uses of marijuana if they didn't have to fear federal prosecution. Marijuana use is illegal under federal law, but allowed in some cases in dozens of states.
Cannabis industry professionals are in New York for their annual meeting on subjects such as patient care and marijuana policy reform the senator says would spur more research and development.
Earlier this summer, New York authorized five companies to each open four medical marijuana dispensaries and one grow house in the state. The 20 dispensaries will be scattered throughout the state — including eight in the New York City area — and are expected to open in early 2016.
