Ceretto hopeful for prompt access to medical marijuana

Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-C-I-Lewiston, recently announced he supports legislation that would expedite the process for critically ill patients to receive medical marijuana in New York. The bill was introduced today in front of dozens of Compassionate Care NY supporters at the Capitol.

"Critically ill patients should not have to suffer for another day; they deserve immediate access to medical marijuana to help ease the pain they suffer from each day, be it from debilitating diseases or excruciating treatments," Ceretto said. "I've met several children in Western New York who suffer from life-threatening illnesses and could benefit from the use of medicinal marijuana. It's important that we move the bill through the legislature as quickly as possible."

Ceretto co-sponsors Assembly bill 7060, which would allow patients under specific circumstances to obtain medical marijuana immediately. The legislation has bipartisan support in the Assembly, but does not have a sponsor in the State Senate.

Ceretto's support for medical marijuana does not stop at A.7060. He also has advocated for the installation of marijuana hydroponic greenhouses in Western New York.

"Our region deserves to reap the economic benefits of growing medicinal marijuana," Ceretto said. "I've worked closely with several local hydroponic greenhouse owners, and they've put serious thought into eventually transitioning their greenhouses from growing vegetables to growing medical marijuana. I'd like to see Western New York eventually lead the state in medical marijuana production, so critically ill patients can have deserved relief."