Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes on Wednesday called for renewed talks surrounding marijuana legalization in New York that include the state Senate and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“Right now, there’s no three-ways,” she said after a rally with pro-legalization advocates. “But there should be and right now there’s not.”
Peoples-Stokes is the main Assembly sponsor of the legislation, which was recently amended to include aspects of Cuomo’s original plan released in January, such as the creation of an Office of Cannabis Management.
But that has not appeared to jump start the talks so far as the session winds down. Lawmakers are scheduled to leave Albany on June 19.
“I think there has to be some sort of continuing negotiation,” she said.
Asked if Cuomo’s office has reached out to her, Peoples-Stokes said, “They have not.”
Cuomo has pointed to a lack of support for the bill in the state Senate, where Sen. Liz Krueger acknowledged the votes aren’t readily available and would need the governor’s involvement.
Cuomo on Monday at a press conference pointed to the lack of time in getting the measure over the finish line. Sen. Todd Kaminsky, a key Democrat from Long Island, said on Tuesday there had been little discussion surrounding the issue.
Still, Peoples-Stokes said she was hopeful for a vote in the Legislature on the bill.
“I don’t see why not,” she said. “Why wouldn’t there be a vote? We have members who support it in both houses. Why wouldn’t there be a vote? I do expect there to be a vote.”