Same-sex marriage has been legally recognized in New York since July 24,2011 under the Marriage Equality Act. The Act does not have a residency restriction,as some similar laws in other U.S. states do. It also allows religious organizations to decline to officiate at same-sex wedding ceremonies.
New Jersey is one of the fifty U.S. states. The state is considered a stronghold of the Democratic Party and has supported the Democratic candidate in every presidential election since 1992. Democrats have also controlled both chambers of the state legislature since 2004. New Jersey currently has two Democratic United States senators. New Jersey's Class I Senate seat has been Democratic since 1959. New Jersey's Class II Senate seat has been Democratic since 1979. In addition,New Jersey's House congressional delegation has had a Democratic majority since 1965,except for a period between 1995-1999 and 2013-2017. As of July 1,2020,there were more registered Democrats than unaffiliated voters for the first time in history,as there are more Democrats than Republicans as well.
Andrew Joseph Lanza is an American lawyer and Republican politician. He is a member of the New York State Senate,representing the 24th district,which includes most of Staten Island. He was elected in 2006 after having served on the New York City Council for the 51st district.
James Nicholas Tedisco is an American politician. Since 2023,he has been the New York State Senator for New York's 44th State Senate district.
John J. Bonacic is a retired politician from New York. A Republican,Bonacic represented New York State Senate District 42 from November 1998 to 2018. Prior to his Senate service,Bonacic served in the New York State Assembly.
William J. Larkin Jr. was an American politician and retired U.S. Army officer from the state of New York.
Aravella Simotas is an American politician who represented District 36,covering parts of Western Queens,which includes Astoria and parts of Long Island City,in the New York State Assembly as a member of the Democratic Party.
The legal history of cannabis in the United States began with state-level prohibition in the early 20th century,with the first major federal limitations occurring in 1937. Starting with Oregon in 1973,individual states began to liberalize cannabis laws through decriminalization. In 1996,California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis,sparking a trend that spread to a majority of states by 2016. In 2012,Washington and Colorado became the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use.
David J. DiPietro is a Republican member of the New York State Assembly representing Assembly District 147,which comprises the southern halves of Erie County,New York and Wyoming County,New York.
Jeanne M. Ives is an American politician. A Republican,she is a former member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 42nd district. She has run for governor of Illinois,and for U.S. representative for Illinois's 6th congressional district.
The 188th New York State Legislature,consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly,met from January 4,1989,to December 31,1990,during the seventh and eighth years of Mario Cuomo's governorship,in Albany.
Renee S. Unterman is an American politician. A Republican,she represented the 45th District in the Georgia State Senate from 2003 to 2021. Unterman chaired the Georgia State Senate Science and Technology Committee. She previously served in the Georgia State House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003.
Cannabis in Utah is illegal for recreational use. Possession of small amounts is punishable as a misdemeanor crime. Medical use was legalized by ballot measure in November 2018,after a CBD-only law was passed in 2014 and a limited "right to try" law was passed in March 2018.
Cannabis in Virginia is legal for medical use and recreational use. The first medical marijuana dispensary opened in August 2020,and adult recreational use became legalized in July 2021.
Cannabis in Rhode Island is legal for medical and adult use. Medical use was legalized through legislation approved in 2006,and adult use in 2022.
Cannabis in Minnesota is legal for recreational use as of August 1,2023. On May 30,2023,Governor Tim Walz signed House File 100 into law,legalizing the use,possession,and cultivation of cannabis within the state. Licenses for commercial sales will likely not be issued until 2025,in order for the Office of Cannabis Management to establish regulatory frameworks.
Cannabis in New York has been legal for medical purposes under New York law since 2016,and recreational purposes since 2021. As of 2022,recreational cannabis is for sale legally in the state,only through state-approved dispensaries.
Cannabis in New Mexico is legal for recreational use as of June 29,2021. A bill to legalize recreational use –House Bill 2,the Cannabis Regulation Act –was signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 12,2021. The first licensed sales of recreational cannabis began on April 1,2022.
Cannabis in New Jersey is legal for both medical use and recreational use. An amendment to the state constitution legalizing cannabis became effective on January 1,2021,and enabling legislation and related bills were signed into law by governor Phil Murphy on February 22,2021.
The Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act is an Act of Congress allowing medical research on cannabis. The act is "the first standalone marijuana-related bill approved by both chambers of the United States Congress".
