With the endless hustle and bustle of New York, it’s no surprise that it’s dubbed as “the city that never sleeps.” It’s also undoubtedly a city many people from all over the world want to visit. Indeed, there are lots to see in New York such as Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and so much more. As one of the cities in the world that seems to be updated with the latest trends and technologies, the city has also become one of the many in the US that have passed laws for legalizing the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. But first, one must acquire a medical marijuana card in New York to purchase cannabis. And just like its tourist spots, the city also birthed a number of medical marijuana dispensaries and products.
The Compassionate Care Rule
It was in July 2014 when the Compassionate Care Act was signed into law by Gov. Cuomo. The law legally protected patients and caregivers and gave authorization to the state to give a license, as well as regulate registered organizations that cultivate and sell the plant for patients.
How Can I get a Medical License for Marijuana use in New York?
The medical marijuana card in New York is one of the simplest ways for you to purchase cannabis for your medication. However, there is a process one must follow to obtain the identification card. Firstly, the patient must get written certification from their physician, which will verify the medical condition.
Moreover, physicians in New York are also required to take educational courses and programs on marijuana use before they can certify patients. They must also have medical expertise in the conditions which are qualified for a cannabis recommendation. Lastly, they should also be able to provide continuous care for the patient.
What Conditions are Qualified for the use of Medical Marijuana?
Patients in New York who wish to apply for a marijuana card must be certified by a doctor who is licensed in the state. They must also have an illness that is severely debilitating or life-threatening that cannabis will likely provide benefits.
Some of these conditions are:
- Cancer
- HIV infection or AIDS
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Spinal cord injury with spasticity
- Epilepsy
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Neuropathy
- Huntington’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Chronic Pain
Getting Hold of Your Medical Marijuana Card in New York
The process can be summarized in three steps. First, as mentioned before, you need to have a doctor licensed in New York review and verify your conditions. Next, a recommendation will be given by a marijuana doctor who must also be licensed in New York, and you should also register to the New York Department of Health. After receiving approval for the recommendation, the identification card can then be requested online from the New York Department of Health.
More importantly, New York’s marijuana laws may also differ with regard to possession and limits. While some states allow home cultivation, New York doesn’t, which is why patients may only get it from dispensaries.
