New York State lawmakers are kicking off the 2019 Legislative session, with one of the highest priorities for the Legislature being the issue of legalizing adult use of recreational marijuana.

It’s a top priority for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who wants it to be a done deal by April 1 — but health officials warn the Legislature to slow down.

"We don’t want to rush good science, because science takes time," says Dr. Michael Mendoza, Monroe County commissioner of Public Health.

Mendoza and the New York State Association of County Health officials agree New York needs to hit the brakes on this plan.

"Our primary concern really is for the health of the public, the health of the communities that we serve.  And based on the available scientific evidence, based on our experience, with certainly opioids currently, we have a lot of concerns," said Mendoza. 

Those concerns are plenty: Mendoza cites lung disease, judging its potency being tricky, and that pot can be addictive and a gateway to other, more addictive drugs. There are significant fears children will be at risk if they get access to marijuana, think that candy look-alike edibles are treats, or if their breastfeeding mother indulges.

Mendoza and other health officials say in states where marijuana is already legal, traffic deaths and emergency room visits are increasing significantly and there are more calls to poison control centers.

"We want to make sure, if and when the legalization of marijuana does come to be, that we’re prepared and that we understand as much as we can and our position at the moment is that we’re not quite there," said Mendoza.

If marijuana is legalized in New York, many lawmakers want a phased-in approach.