How to get medical marijuana in New York

If you’re not sure whether or not you’ll qualify for New York’s Medical Marijuana program here’s a list from the NY compassionate care acts web site, of the medical conditions that qualify:

• Cancer

• HIV Positive

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

• Parkinson’s disease

• Multiple sclerosis

• Damage to nervous tissue and spinal cord

• Epilepsy

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Neuropathies

• Huntington’s disease

The Commissioner of Health may add new conditions to the list. In fact, the Department of Health has been analyzing many scientific studies on Alzheimer’s, muscular dystrophy, dystonia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. If the Commissioner sees merit in prescribing medical marijuana to patients with these conditions, he will quickly add to the list of currently covered conditions.

You’ll need to find a doctor that’s already completed the 4 and a half hour course educating practitioners on medical marijuana use. New York has over 600 registered physician’s now, so you can find a doctor not too far from where you’re located anywhere in New York. If your doctor does not approve your reason for needing medical marijuana you won’t be able to get a registry identification card.

Columbia Care opened one of the first marijuana dispensaries in the state in the East Village of Manhattan. There’s a list of dispensaries open now within the boroughs and even several upstate.

The medical marijuana laws in NY are relatively strict. The flower form of marijuana is not available for smoking because of the dangers associated with smoking. Patients will have to use extracts, tinctures, oils, and edibles if they want to get medicated, even though smoking as a method of consumption has found to have more immediate relief, added benefits, and less harmful side effects than alternatives like edibles.

Patients will not be allowed to purchase or possess more than a 30 day supply of medical marijuana. After receiving medical marijuana, it must be kept in its original packaging otherwise it may be confused for illegal marijuana.

Public smoking of even medical marijuana remains illegal in the State of New York. You may consume marijuana in your home or on private property that you have permission to smoke on.

Fortunately, within the provisions it was declared that patients, caregivers, practitioners, or employees “shall not be denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to, they shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege.” So in New York, you should be able to rest easy using your medicine without getting fired or arrested.