“I voted NO on legalizing adult-use recreational marijuana because I share the concerns of many of my constituents that believe this measure doesn’t do nearly enough to protect families and has the potential to harm our communities. In addition to an increased risk for serious workplace accidents the bill fails to address the significant danger that comes with people driving under the influence of marijuana without having adequate testing to detect it. Whether on the roads or in the workplace, I’ll always put the health and safety of our communities first and that will not change,” said Assemblyman Santabarbara.

Santabarbara added, “And while the bill allows cities, towns and villages to pass local laws prohibiting retail dispensaries or on-site consumption licenses, they can’t opt-out of adult-use legalization altogether. Counties are also denied this ability. We should not be passing legislation that puts New Yorkers in danger and takes away decisions like this from local leaders.”