Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
More than 3,300 New Yorkers have joined the rolls of card-carrying medical marijuana users since late March, when the state added chronic pain to its list of conditions qualifying to receive the medicine, bringing the total number to over 18,000, the state Health Department said Friday.
In addition, there are now 1,000 health providers registered to certify patients for the program, and the Health Department has for the first time published a list of participating doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants willing to make their names public.
“We are improving access to medical marijuana for patients in need across New York State,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. “As we have said from the very beginning, we will continue to grow this program responsibly and help ease the suffering of those who may benefit from this treatment option.”
Chronic pain is the 11th on a list of medical conditions that qualify New Yorkers to use marijuana for medical purposes, as allowed by a law signed in 2014. Companies began selling their medicines to the public in 2016, but have reported a difficult time attracting enough customers to produce profits.
Would-be patients have complained for more than a year that it has been difficult to find participating doctors to certify them because until now only another health care provider could view the practitioner list. The public list is aimed at easing that problem, though only 32 percent of participating practitioners have consented to be on it. Another 60 percent remain on a list available to other doctors only.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: More New Yorkers sign up for medical marijuana - Capitol Confidential
Author: Claire Hughes
Contact: Help: Contact Us - Times Union
Photo Credit: John Carl D’Annibale
Website: Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga News, Weather, Sports, Capitol | timesunion.com - Times Union
In addition, there are now 1,000 health providers registered to certify patients for the program, and the Health Department has for the first time published a list of participating doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants willing to make their names public.
“We are improving access to medical marijuana for patients in need across New York State,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. “As we have said from the very beginning, we will continue to grow this program responsibly and help ease the suffering of those who may benefit from this treatment option.”
Chronic pain is the 11th on a list of medical conditions that qualify New Yorkers to use marijuana for medical purposes, as allowed by a law signed in 2014. Companies began selling their medicines to the public in 2016, but have reported a difficult time attracting enough customers to produce profits.
Would-be patients have complained for more than a year that it has been difficult to find participating doctors to certify them because until now only another health care provider could view the practitioner list. The public list is aimed at easing that problem, though only 32 percent of participating practitioners have consented to be on it. Another 60 percent remain on a list available to other doctors only.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: More New Yorkers sign up for medical marijuana - Capitol Confidential
Author: Claire Hughes
Contact: Help: Contact Us - Times Union
Photo Credit: John Carl D’Annibale
Website: Albany, Troy, Schenectady, Saratoga News, Weather, Sports, Capitol | timesunion.com - Times Union
