On May 20, The Compassionate Care Act, which would legalize the use of medical marijuana for New Yorkers diagnosed with one of 20 serious, debilitating, and life-threatening chronic illnesses, passed the New York Senate Health Committee. I joined eight of my fellow committee members in voting for this bill to alleviate suffering for severely ill New Yorkers and I hope to be able to vote for it again on the Senate floor. The Compassionate Care Act will now move to the Senate Finance Committee. If it passes that committee it could be brought to the floor for a full vote before the June 19 end of the 2014 legislative session. Please see the Daily News story on the Health Committee vote here.