State police ｕnions unanimously oppose legalizing marijuana
The New York state association of police ｕnions unanimously opposes Gov. Cuomo’s plans to legalize recreational marijuana, calling it a “money grab,” the group’s president said Wednesday.
“We wanted to be on the record that we oppose it because it’s an act of total irresponsibility,” Michael Palladino, the head of the New York State Association of PBAs, said Wednesday.
“The Governor and lawmakers are trading public safety for a money grab to plug a budget deficit arising from mismanagement of taxpayer funds. Jeopardizing the public’s safety is not something cops support.”
The decision to come out against Cuomo’s proposal came at the group’s meeting in Albany Tuesday, said Palladino, who also heads the city’s Detectives’ Endowment Association.
Gov. Cuomo announced in December that he would push to legalize recreational marijuana, which could generate more than $1.7 billion in sales annually.
Ten other states and Washington, D.C., have legalized recreational pot with the proceeds going to a wide swath of initiatives, from schools to transportation.
The state association represents 45 police ｕnions.
Article Source : https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/daily-news-article/state-police-ｕnions-unanimously-oppose-legalizing-marijuana/
Image source : https://www.studentnewsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cuomo-marijuanna-2.jpg" class="img
VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. unanimous / adjective : of one mind; in complete agreement; agreed.
2. oppose / verb : to act against or provide resistance to; combat.
3. deficit / noun : the amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required amount.
4. swath / noun : the space covered by the stroke of a scythe or the cut of a mowing machine.
5. initiative / noun : an introductory act or step; leading action:
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)
2. Why did the NY state association make this announcement?
3. To what motive do the police attribute Gov. Cuomo’s (and NY lawmakers) move to legalize this drug?
4. How many other states have legalized recreational marijuana?
5. How much money could the New York state government take in per year in taxes on marijuana sales?
