New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo waded into the national debate over drug policy, declaring his opposition to legalizing cannabis and asserting (despite research to the contrary) that using pot leads to the use of other, stronger narcotics. Cuomo has long promoted the alcohol industry, whose donors have bankrolled his election campaigns and whose businesses could be adversely affected by marijuana legalization.
RELATED: N.Y. MMJ Program's Slow Growth Causes Concern
Cuomo’s office did not respond to International Business Times’ request for comment about marijuana-related scientific research or about his support for the alcohol industry.
Cuomo’s move could carry significant political implications in the ongoing debate over drug policy because the New York Democrat is widely considered a potential 2020 presidential contender. Gallup’s most recent poll shows that 60 percent of Americans support legalizing marijuana — the largest show of support in the survey’s 47-year history. Democrats could benefit from that support if President Trump's administration cracks down on states that have legalized marijuana, as Trump's Attorney General has signaled.
