Casey Seiler is reporting in the Times Union Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and state lawmakers have reached an agreement allowing the state to move ahead with the creation of a medical marijuana system. The law eliminates smoking as a means of consumption, and gives the executive branch the power to shut down the system on the recommendation of the superintendent of the State Police or the Health Commissioner. The governor called it one of the most difficult pieces of legislation to be completed during his administration. The law comes with a seven-year sunset provision, and gives the Department of Health the power to regulate the trade and set prices. The state will extract a 7 percent gross revenues tax, with proceeds to be distributed to the counties in which the medical marijuana was manufactured and dispensed. Read the full story in the Times Union.