Rochester candidate for state assembly: Legalize marijuana

By Jane Flasch

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A Rochester candidate for state assembly says marijuana is not just for people who are sick, and that it should be available for recreational use. 

 

“I believe that we should fully legalize and decriminalize marijuana,” said Rachel Barnhart, who is in a primary in the 138th district that includes Rochester, Henrietta and Chili.

Within the first month of her campaign, Barnhart says she couldn’t help but notice something while going door-to-door. “I meet many people who are smoking marijuana. I know what’s going on in their houses because I can smell it,” she said.

Recent polls suggest many people favor recreational use. Yet its future is unlikely given state senators struggled to approve medical marijuana, and even then would not allow it in smoking form.

Still, many people are talking about it, including on 13WHAM’s Facebook page.

Pete says, “Drug Laws are severely outdated for the times. Maybe we should start giving long sentences to corrupt politicians. That could be our new war.”

From Chris, “Knew this slippery slope was going to be approached when it was legalized for medicinal purposes.”

Anthony writes, “Somebody has to sit down and do the math. Will New York gain more revenue from taxes or fines paid?”

58 percent of people responding to a nationwide Gallop Poll in October support full legalization of marijuana. Half of Rochester-area residents responding to an RIT poll agree.

In 2014, three people were killed execution-style in their home on Chili Avenue. From the trial it was learned the motive was a dispute over marijuana. Barnhart says violence supports the argument for legalization. “If you take the black market out of it, why would you have smuggling drugs and the violence?” she said. “We may be able to reduce crime and we may be able to benefit in the forms of taxes and jobs.”

Harry Bronson holds the Assembly Seat in the 138th district. “The constituents I represent have not been calling for the legalization, so I am not prepared to start advocating for that,” he told 13WHAM’s Jane Flasch. “There is not this huge cry that we should be doing this right now.”

Bronson voted for recent legislation that decriminalized marijuana, making small amounts meant for personal use and not for sale to be punishable by a fine and not jail time. He also supports expanding access to patients for medical marijuana.

Barnhart says if elected, she would put forth legislation to legalize marijuana only after talking with stakeholders including voters, prosecutors, police and community leaders. “I would never go and such my position without making sure that this is something that they want,” she said.