By Michael Hayne
According to reports, Katz was initially pulled over on the New York Thruway for speeding. The trooper who pulled him over apparently detected the aroma of marijuana and proceeded to ask Katz if he had any pot in the car. At which point, Katz said “yes” and then handed over a bag of the magic stuff that contained less than 25 grams. The trooper didn’t suspect that Katz was driving while impaired–an assessment that has become more common in the wake of states legalizing small amounts of marijuana–so he just issued him for unlawful possession of marijuana – a non-criminal violation – and speeding. Under New York state law, the private possession of up to 25 grams of marijuana is a non-criminal civil citation, punishable by a $100 fine. But if only there were a penalty for hypocrisy.
“If there was a concern that he was smoking while driving, we would have brought in a drug recognition expert to determine if he was under the influence, but there was no indication that he was,” state police spokesman Sgt. Don Baker said. (NY Daily News)But Katz, a committed hypocrite, isn’t going to let this otherwise massively humiliating and hypocritical experience impede his work of making the lives of his constituents miserable. Katz saw it fit to deny cancer patients and pain sufferers relief when he voted against a bill last year to legalize medical marijuana
“This should not overshadow the work I have done over the years for the public and my constituency,” Katz said. “I am confident that once the facts are presented that this will quickly be put to rest.”(NY Daily News)If Congressman Anthony Weiner had to resign in shame after his wiener sowed up all of Twitter, then it only seems appropriate for Katz to be forced to resign. In the mean time, there should be an inquiry into whether Katz was truly under the influence and if the Trooper just let him slide because, unlike plebeians like you and me, he was a public official.
