Several elected officials gathered in Flatlands Saturday to voice opposition to a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in the state.

Local leaders stood together outside the office of state Assemblywoman Jaimee Williams. They said keeping recreational use of marijuana would help keep communities safe.

"To me, it is a slap in the face to people that are in recovery, and I just feel as if there has not been enough studies," Williams says.

Williams and others are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to halt his proposal to legalize the drug until more studies are conducted.

Opponents say regulations are needed to address marijuana use in public areas the same way cigarettes are currently regulated.

Some Brooklyn residents cite health reasons as why marijuana should be legalized. While the FDA hasn't approved marijuana for treating any health problems, it did approve three cannabinoids as drugs for the treatment of seizures, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and other ailments.

Earlier this week, Gov. Cuomo's proposal to legalize the drug was removed from the proposed state budget. The governor says the issue could still be worked out, but after the state budget is approved.