By J. DeVoy
In an effort to bridge a $9 billion budget gap and be more like California, New York legislators want to legalize medical marijuana in order to realize $15 million in licensing fees. Though still subject to senate approval, the plan’s projected revenues have been included in the state’s 2010-11 budget. This proposal is intended as part of a larger, $136.2 billion package of spending cuts and new taxes — though not including new taxes on soda and cigarettes, which the legislature previously considered.
