ALBANY — Republican Assemblyman Steve Katz was arrested and charged with marijuana possession after a Thursday-morning traffic stop on the Thruway.

The 59-year-old lawmaker was initially stopped at about 10 a.m. for allegedly driving 80 mph northbound near Coeymans. The posted speed limit is 65 mph.

"After noting the odor of marihuana, a New York State Trooper found Katz in possession of a small bag of marihuana," a State Police release issued Friday morning said. (State penal law uses the antiquated spelling of the substance.)

Katz, who is not charged with driving under the influence, was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Coeymans Town Court on March 28.

In a brief statement made a few hours after the news release, Katz said he "will not let this incident impede my public service and my calls for real mandate relief, a better economic climate and better services for those in need in New York. This should not overshadow the work I have done over the years for the public and my constituency.

"I am confident that once the facts are presented that this will quickly be put to rest," he said.

Katz is a member of the Assembly's Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Committee as well as its Higher Education Committee. In 2012, he voted against a bill that would have legalized medical marijuana.

In a recent mailer to constituents, he decried "an increase in drug use and drunk driving by our youngest citizens. ... I'm working with many groups to get these kids off the streets and into meaningful positions."

The Lower Hudson Valley lawmaker ran unsuccessfully last year for state Senate against his onetime ally Sen. Greg Ball, a former assemblyman. That bare-knuckle Republican primary battle included the revelation that Katz, a veterinarian, had once been arrested for putting a dead dog in a trash disposal bin, and another time for allegedly harming a feisty chihuahua during an exam. No charges were brought in either incident.

In recent weeks, Katz has been a strong voice in opposition to the NY SAFE gun control law, and has introduced legislation to repeal it. During the January debate on the bill pushed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Katz said t the new law would "turn me into a criminal" because of his refusal to leave his wife and young daughters home alone with insufficient firepower: The new law limits individual magazines to seven rounds, down from 10.

The Legislature was in session Monday through Thursday this week as it prepared to complete the state budget. Katz did not inform Assembly Republican Leader Brian Kolb about his arrest before it became public.

The assemblyman took part in floor debate a few hours after his arrest, quizzing Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal — whom he mistakenly addressed at one point as "Assemblyman Rosenthal" — on a bill that would require medical professionals to undergo training in pain management and palliative care every four years. Katz voted against the measure.

cseiler@timesunion.com • 518-454-5619 • @CaseySeiler