In July 2014, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature enacted the Compassionate Care Act to provide a comprehensive, safe and effective medical marijuana program that meets the needs of New Yorkers. The program will ensure that medical marijuana is available for certified patients with serious conditions and is dispensed and administered in a manner that protects public health and safety. The launch is set for sometime in January 2016 but could go live by this Thursday.
The state launched its online Medical Marijuana Patient Certification and Registration System. The system launch allows qualified New York patients to enroll in the Medical Marijuana Program so they will be able to purchase medical marijuana when it becomes available in January 2016.
“The launch of the State’s Medical Marijuana Patient Certification and Registration System marks the achievement of another milestone toward providing relief to all New Yorkers who may benefit from medical marijuana,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker. “Today’s launch means that qualified patients will soon have access to the treatment they need.”
In order to obtain medical marijuana, a patient must receive a DOH Medical Marijuana Program certification from a registered physician. The patient must then access DOH’s online Patient Certification and Registration system to apply for a registry identification card. In order to apply using DOH’s online system, each patient must have a valid DOH Medical Marijuana Program certification form issued and signed by a registered practitioner, photographic identification, documentation of his or her temporary or permanent New York State residency, and designated caregiver information, if applicable. A patient who is under the age of eighteen or who is otherwise incapable of consenting must apply through a proxy.
For additional information and detailed instructions on the patient registration process, visit: health.ny.gov/regulations
