Lawmakers failed to pass any meaningful legislation to significantly expand the state’s current medical marijuana program before the legislative ended on June 16th. Read below for more information on all of the legislation that was introduced this legislative session but failed to garner enough support to pass:
Assembly Bill 9151 called on the Department of Health to double the number of state-licensed medical cannabis producers and dispensaries. These new facilities would have been located in underserved regions of the state.
Assembly Bill 9507 would have removed the cap on the number of companies that are permitted to produce and sell the medicine. The bill also sought to repeal the requirement that registered organizations be vertically integrated.
Assembly Bill 9510/S 6998 would have expanded the pool of medical professionals who can provide written recommendations for marijuana to qualifying patients. The legislation would have allowedd physician assistants and nurse practitioners who are in good standing with the state to participate in the program.
Assembly Bill 9514 sought to expand the list of qualifying conditions, adding severe chronic pain. A list of current qualifying conditions can be found here.
Assembly Bill 9517 sought to allow marijuana to be smoked for medical use. Currently only non-smokable preparations are allowed.
Assembly Bill 9553/S 7000 sought to establish an advisory committee to assist the Commissioner of Health in the implementation of the New York’s medical marijuana law and also direct the program to recognize visiting patients’ out-of-state medical marijuana certifications.
Assembly Bill 9562/S 6999 would have added eight qualifying medical conditions and lifts the THC dosage limits on medical marijuana.
Senate Bill 7042 sought to allow registered organizations (producers) to contact healthcare providers directly to educate them about the medical use of marijuana as well as doubles the number of dispensaries currently-licensed producers are allowed to operate from four to eight.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – Advocacy Campaigns
