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Sen. Diane Savino, D-Staten Island, at a Post-Standard editorial board earlier this year. Savino, along with Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan, are proposing legislation to legalize marijuana for medical use in New York.

( David Lassman | dlassman@syracuse.com)

Syracuse, N.Y. -- Proponents of legalizing marijuana for medical use may have their first victory on Tuesday.

The New York State Assembly's Health Committee is expected to vote on the proposal at its 9:30 a.m. meeting.

But the issue still faces many hurdles, including winning over support from Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Similar proposals have passed the full Assembly three times since 2008.

The bills' sponsors, Sen. Diane Savino, D-Staten Island, and Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, D-Manhattan, will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Albany.

Contact Teri Weaver at: tweaver@syracuse.com, 315-470-2274 or on Twitter at @TeriKWeaver.