Medical Marijuana in New York State
In July of 2014, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo together with the New York State Legislature passed the Compassionate Care Act. Allowing residents of New York State, with qualify illnesses such as H.I.V./AIDS, Cancer, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, among others certified by an authorized physician to obtain medical marijuana.
On January 7, 2016, New York State opened its doors to its first medical marijuana dispensaries. There are currently fifteen dispensaries within New York State, including three in New York City and three in Syracuse. Studies show that the use of medical marijuana can stop cancer from spreading, control epileptic seizers, and even slow the progression of Alzheimer’s decease.
As of right now it is illegal to smoke marijuana in the state of New York, may it be medicinal or not. Local dispensaries provide marijuana in forms of liquids and oils for vaporization. Many continue to disagree with the Governor’s strict policies surrounding medicinal marijuana however it is a step forward for many patients in need. In the summer of 2016 we began to see a bit of progression with the medical marijuana program in New York as legislation is now open to delivery of the drug to provide easier access to patients who are immobile.