Overview of Medical Marijuana in New York
Medical marijuana has been legal in New York since 2014, when it was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The law allows individuals with certain serious medical conditions to access marijuana for medical use. The program has been expanded several times since its inception, and now includes a wide range of qualifying conditions.
The Process of Obtaining Medical Marijuana in New York
To obtain medical marijuana in New York, patients must first be certified by a registered practitioner. This can be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who is registered with the New York State Department of Health’s Medical Marijuana Program. Once certified, patients must then apply for a registry identification card from the Department of Health.
Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana in New York
The list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in New York has grown significantly since the program was first introduced. Currently, patients may qualify for medical marijuana if they have been diagnosed with any of the following conditions:
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is one of the most common qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in New York. This includes any severe, debilitating pain that has not responded to other treatments.
Cancer
Individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer may qualify for medical marijuana in New York. This includes any type of cancer, as well as treatments for cancer such as chemotherapy and radiation.
HIV/AIDS
Individuals who have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS may qualify for medical marijuana in New York. This includes both the virus itself and any treatments for HIV/AIDS that cause severe pain, nausea, or other debilitating symptoms.
Epilepsy
Individuals who have been diagnosed with epilepsy may qualify for medical marijuana in New York. This includes both childhood epilepsy and adult-onset epilepsy.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Individuals who have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may qualify for medical marijuana in New York. This includes conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Parkinson’s Disease
Individuals who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease may qualify for medical marijuana in New York. This includes any symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as muscle tremors and stiffness.
Multiple Sclerosis
Individuals who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) may qualify for medical marijuana in New York. This includes any symptoms of MS, such as muscle spasms and stiffness.
Neuropathy
Individuals who have been diagnosed with neuropathy may qualify for medical marijuana in New York. This includes any type of neuropathy, such as diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Individuals who have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may qualify for medical marijuana in New York. This includes any symptoms of PTSD, such as anxiety, depression, and flashbacks.
Severe or Chronic Painful Conditions
Individuals who have been diagnosed with any condition that results in severe, chronic pain may qualify for medical marijuana in New York. This includes conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, and spinal cord injuries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, medical marijuana is legal in New York for individuals with certain serious medical conditions. To obtain medical marijuana, patients must be certified by a registered practitioner and apply for a registry identification card from the Department of Health. There are currently a wide range of qualifying conditions, including chronic pain, cancer, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, PTSD, and severe or chronic painful conditions. If you believe you may qualify for medical marijuana in New York, speak with a registered practitioner to learn more about the certification process.
