Matthew Hamilton in Capitol Confidential reports that though medical marijuana won't be available in New York until January 2016, the state announced draft regulations for the program Dec. 18. “Today we take another step forward to provide much-needed relief to New Yorkers living with extraordinary pain, while balancing the need to safeguard general public health and safety,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. “These proposed regulations are designed with that in mind, so that we can alleviate suffering for patients with serious conditions while also ensuring that medical marijuana is dispensed and administered responsibly.” On Wed., Dec. 17, a few state legislators considering a bill to legalize recreational marijuana held a hearing to raise a bill in the 2015 session. State Senator Liz Krueger said the bill doesn't have much chance during the upcoming legislative session but was holding hearings to keep the conversation moving forward, Dan Goldberg reported in Capital New York.