Potential gubernatorial candidate Kristin Davis, the self-titled "Manhattan Madam," has hailed California for a proposal that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana and says New York state should be next.
"Californians have figured out what New Yorkers need to figure out," said Davis. "Marijuana is a $10 billion-a-year industry in New York state. Its legalization and taxation would help New York's current financial crises," Davis continued.
Davis, who has said she booked prostitutes for former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, is the former vice president of a California-based hedge fund who established a high-priced escort service before pleading guilty to promoting prostitution and serving four months in Rikers Island jail.
She is considering running for governor as a Libertarian and plans to attend that party's convention in Albany on April 24. Spokesman for her campaign Andrew Miller said they have been in talks with members of the Libertarian Party
"As our budget deficit rises to [more than] $9 billion, it's time we look for ways of bringing in new revenue rather than increase taxes on struggling New Yorkers. None of the career politicians offer any solutions to our troubled economy; they only offer more of the same – tax increases and service cuts," said Davis.
Recently in New York, the state Senate included legalizing medical marijuana in its budget proposal. There is also a bill sponsored this year (S.4041-b/A.9016) by Assembly Health Committee Chairman Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan, and Senate Health Committee Chairman Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, that would allow medical use and possession of marijuana as long as it does not exceed a total aggregate weight of 2 1/2 ounces.
"Our budget shortfall has gone from $7 billion to $9 billion to an estimate of $15 billion in just a few weeks," said Davis.
If passed in November, California's proposal known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act, would allow people over the age of 21 to possess up to one ounce (28 grams) of marijuana for personal use.
Davis said she would strongly support an opt-out clause in New York where localities by local vote could choose to not allow the sale of sale marijuana in that locality.
"I believe in home rule and local option," said Davis.
Miller said Davis' campaign is mostly based in Manhattan right now, but there are plans to campaign upstate in April. He said so far, they have raised between$5,000 and $6,000 for the campaign. Miller also said that Curtis Jackson, also known as rapper 50 Cent, has expressed an interest in her campaign and offered use of his G-Unit posse to help in campaign efforts.
"Legalizing, regulating and taxing marijuana will generate $1 billion in new revenues, save millions in wasted law enforcement, cut court costs and help balance the budget," Davis said.
Source: Legislative Gazette
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