In just a few weeks, New York will officially start up its medical marijuana program. But according to some rumors, even though state officials claim that the “program remains on track for full implementation” by January 2016, just a few will truly have access to the medicine. This is so because there are only a few doctors with the qualifications to recommend patients.
Prior to a patient being able to use medical marijuana in the state of New York, the patient must go through a physician with which the patient has a “long-standing and bona fide relationship” in order to be certified. However, New York’s rules need for doctors interested in being a part of the program to take a 4-hour online course for $250 in order to begin talking about marijuana treatment with their patients.
In all honesty, what’s preventing doctors from becoming involved in the medical marijuana industry is neither time nor money. The real issue is federal law. Regardless of rules that are around any state program, it is still a violation of the Controlled Substances Act for a doctor to “prescribe” marijuana. However, doctors are still capable of recommending the medicine thanks to the first amendment.
“People would love to start getting their recommendations, but the challenge is that the [doctors] educational course was just released,” Melissa Meyer, from the medical marijuana education resource Health MJ, said to The Village Voice. “Patients are ready, but have to be able to get doctors on board.”
During the summer, a group was only able to find one doctor within New York ready to offer patient recommendations once the Health Department begins its training program. When November came around, there was still no assurance in the amount of physicians planning on joining since the Health Department refused to give out any such data, only stating, “Practitioner education is an ongoing process with doctors continually signing up for and receiving training.”
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I live in New York state. In order for medical marijuana, you have to be dying in order to qualify. In my case I have 5 chronic illness, five doctors for over 20. Illness include: hepatitis C. High blood, diabetes. Bi-polar-manic drepression, no appetite, and I rarely sleep 3hrs. All my doctors have been told by me! They approve of my use, but they all have warned me that it’s illegal. I take over 20pills a day!!! They have noticed, once I hsve marijuana, the all of have see the improvementsoh I forgot I have the weird illness. Restless leg syndrome I like to see anyone, walk in my shoes for just a month! I’m 63 yrs. old, and getting fed up with these archaic laws! I’m belong to MPP for some years! PLEASE HELP ME!!!