New York State Assemblyman Stephen Katz was arrested for possession of marijuana after being stopped for speeding just south of Albany. The Journal News reported on March 15, 2013, that:


Katz, 59, who was first elected to the state Assembly in 2010, was pulled over for allegedly driving 80 mph in a 65 mph zone at about 10 a.m. Thursday, State Police told Gannett’s Albany Bureau.

He was stopped headed northbound on the Thruway in Coeymans, just south of Albany. The Legislature was in session on Thursday.

When an officer approached the vehicle, the state trooper smelled marijuana, police said. Katz turned over a small bag of what appeared to be marijuana, said State Police spokeswoman Darcy Wells.

“He was alone and cooperative,” Wells said, reading from the police report.

Katz was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and speeding, police said. He was issued an appearance ticket for local court on March 28 at 9 a.m., police said.

Katz's short career in the Assembly includes this notable vote relating to drug policy, again from the Journal News:


Last year, Katz voted against the legalization of medical marijuana in during an Assembly vote on June 13. It passed 91-52, with most Republicans voting against it.