Demand that the Cattaraugus County Board of Health Recognize the Benefits of Legalization of Marijuana

The Cattaraugus County Board of Health made a formal recommendation to the State of New York against the legalization of adult recreational use of marijuana. This recommendation is in direct contradiction to multiple studies, including the New York State Board of Health study that concluded that a "regulated, legal marijuana program should be available to adults in the state of New York."

Legalization would have tremendous benefits for both the State of New York and for our county, including:

- Millions in tax revenue for New York State and Cattaraugus County

- Millions of taxpayer's dollars saved in enforcement, prosecution and other criminal justice costs, in addition to freeing up law enforcement resources.

- Affordable medical benefits; Marijuana has been proven effective in pain management, anxiety and other mental health disorders, opioid addiction treatment, and many other diseases and ailments that Cattaraugus County residents are afflicted with.

- Polls show that a majority of residents already support adult recreational legalization

- Studies have proven that criminalization of marijuana does not reduce recreational use

Sign the petition below to tell the Cattaraugus County Board of Health that you SUPPORT legalization of recreational marijuana, and that you demand they acknowledge the proven benefits of legalization and reconsider their formal recommendation to the State of New York during this pivotal moment in our state's history.