It's time for better access to medical marijuana in New York

By Kenneth R. Weinberg

New York’s Compassionate Care Act has helped thousands of patients gain access to the analgesic and other therapeutic qualities of cannabis. But patients in Ithaca are still more than an hour away from the nearest dispensary. And they are not the only ones.

As a member of Cannabis Doctors of New York, I’ve seen the life changing results of medical and legalized marijuana, and made it my mission to spread the good news. However our state’s medical marijuana policy has not lived up to its potential, and hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers have been deprived of the care they are entitled to. All New Yorkers suffering from 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 or chronic pain should have access to this care.

It comes down to the numbers. And they are pathetic. There are only 22 dispensaries currently operating in New York. Florida is about the same size, and allows for 425 dispensaries.

Patients suffering from severe conditions do not have enough access to the medicine they are legally entitled to. I am asking law- makers to consider the unfairness of this situation and pass bill 8148S in the State Senate. This measure would allow for up to 250 more dispensaries in our very large states.

There are currently only four dispensaries serving Western New York’s three million residents. What is the point of this medical program if all New Yorkers in need can’t access it?

A growing body of research proves that cannabis is an effective tool in safely treating ailments that are now being treated with opioids and in fact, it is being shown to help wean patients off narcotics.

As a doctor, I’ve seen these results. About 60 people overdosed on opioids in 2016 right here in Tompkins County, according to outpatient data from the New York State Health Department. It’s time to take a stand. It’s time for New York to join the 21st century and expand the current medical cannabis law, increase patient access and allow our responsible MD’s to use their judgement in treating the many conditions that could be helped by cannabis (and that were originally included in the Compassionate Care Act). It shouldn’t take a doctor to realize this would be could medical policy.

New York prides itself on leading the way, but on this issue it is way behind. Before New York even considers recre- ational marijuana, lets get our medical program right. I urge Governor Cuomo and the legislature to consider the health of our state’s most needy residents. The compassionate thing to do is to enhance the Compassionate Care Act.