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NY Assemblyman Who Voted Against Legalizing Medical Marijuana Hit With Pot Charge

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York State Police have charged a Hudson Valley assemblyman with marijuana possession following a traffic stop on the Thruway.

Troopers said 59-year-old Stephen Katz of Mohegan Lake was stopped about 10 a.m. Tuesday in Coeymans, south of Albany, for driving 80 mph in a 65 mph zone.

Authorities said the officer smelled marijuana and Katz handed over had a small bag of the drug when he was pulled over for allegedly speeding, 1010 WINS' Sonia Rincon reported.

Hudson Valley Assemblyman Faces Marijuana Charge

He was not believed to be driving while impaired, Rincon reported.

The Republican, who is a veterinarian, was first elected in 2010.

He would only issue a written statement about the incident, saying he won't let the charge impede his public service and campaign for mandate relief.

Katz said he's confident, once the facts are presented, "that this will quickly be put to rest." He declined, however, to explain beyond that.

His constituents said the situation is interesting considering Katz had previously voted against legalizing medical marijuana in New York.

"I just think hypocritical. If you're gonna stand for something, you probably shouldn't be caught doing it," one person said.

"For him to have that position politically, but then not to uphold that for himself, I think it's a little hypocritical," one woman said.

Katz was given an appearance ticket for the violation. He's due in Coeymans Town Court on March 28.

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(TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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