Oct 23, 2012 — A former editor of High Times magazine who once did federal prison time in the Adirondacks wants to run for governor in 2014.

Richard Stratton filed initial paperwork with the New York State Board of Elections earlier this month. He hopes to win the Republican line and take on Governor Andrew Cuomo.

An author, filmmaker and activist, Stratton says his time in prison has helped shape his views on prison reform and drug laws.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Jun 05, 2012 — Governor Cuomo is proposing the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana found during police searches. He says the change, which will apply throughout the state, will fix what he says is a "blatant inconsistency" in New York City's controversial stop and frisk policy. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details.  Go to full article

Jun 13, 2007 — Governor Eliot Spitzer says he's changed his mind and will now sign a bill legalizing medical uses for marijuana in New York if it's passed by the legislature. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

May 11, 2005 — A bill to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes took a step closer to becoming law in New York, after the State Senate Majority Leader said he was open to considering the measure. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jul 23, 2004 — The maze of islands and St. Lawrence River channels along the St. Regis Reservation near Massena have given the Akwesasne Mohawk community a reputation for smuggling. In the 30s, alcohol came across a mostly porous border with Canada by boat and automobile. In the 1990s the contraband was cigarettes. Around 2000, it was illegal aliens. Today, smugglers favor hydroponic marijuana from Canada. Mohawk tribal police work closely with law enforcement in the U.S. and Canada to stem the tide of illegal border crossings. Yet the tribal police receive no money from Washington for their efforts - even as border security funding rises in response to international terrorism. As David Sommerstein reports, Mohawk chiefs are trying to change that.  Go to full article

May 07, 2004 — Three Potsdam retailers face federal charges of selling smoking pipes and bongs intended for illegal drug use. 50 year-old Lyle Furnace and his daughter 22 year-old Jessika Furnace own the store "Happy Daze". 58 year-old Jayne Davis owns "The Wild Rose". The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has been cracking down on the sale of drug paraphernalia since last year. David Sommerstein spoke with Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Eurenius, who is prosecuting the case.  Go to full article

Feb 20, 2004 — Filming for the short movie Frozen River wraps up tonight and tomorrow along the St. Lawrence River on the Akwesasne Mohawk reservation. Written and directed by an award-winning New York City based filmmaker, Frozen River is about two women who are driven by poverty to smuggle aliens across the U.S.-Canada border in the dark of night. The subject matter has raised some eyebrows on the reservation. David Sommerstein visited the set and has this report.  Go to full article

Feb 20, 2004 — Cross-border smuggling among the maze-like territory of the St. Lawrence River near Akwesasne has dogged the Mohawks' reputation for years, especially since high-profile cigarette smuggling busts in the 1990s. In the late '90s and 2000, smuggling Asian illegal immigrants spiked. David Sommerstein spoke yesterday with Akwesasne Mohawk Police Chief Louis Mitchell. Mitchell says alien traffic dropped dramatically after September 11, 2001.  Go to full article

Jan 23, 2003 — Advocates for the legalization of medical marijuana are targeting New York State, aiming to convince more state lawmakers that some people with cancer, AIDS and other chronic conditions need the drug to improve their health. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Oct 17, 2002 — The most conservative candidate in the race for governor has come out with a plan to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The announcements by businessman Tom Golisano, comes as the Independence Party's candidate gained ground in a new poll. Karen Dewitt has details.  Go to full article