ALBANY, NY — Newly enacted regulatory changes to the state’s medical cannabis program are expected to result in increased patient access.
As of this week, patients suffering from chronic pain conditions are now eligible to qualify for cannabis therapy.
In January, a National Academies review of over 10,000 scientific abstracts acknowledged that “conclusive” evidence exists to support the use of cannabis in pain treatment.
Another change in the program allows physician assistants to provide medical marijuana recommendations. Previously, only doctors and nurse practitioners were eligible to recommend cannabis therapy to qualified patients.
Under the law, recommending physicians must register with the state. To date, fewer than 900 have done so.
Currently, less than 14,500 patients are registered in the statewide program – a comparatively low number compared to other states of its size.
Tags: chronic pain, Compassionate Care Act, Drug Policy Alliance, medical marijuana, New York, New York marijuana, New York medical marijuana, New York State Department of Health