Last year, the Cannabis Control Board advanced regulations and expanded the Medical Cannabis Program for patients and caregivers that reside in the state of New York. With the expansion of the program, it will allow New Yorkers to have more access to this medicine and it will empower patients to make choices that work best for their medical needs. As regulations continuously change, patients and those who are interested in the medical cannabis program, may feel challenges navigating this information. Common questions that New Yorkers have are: what are the current regulations in the medical cannabis program? How do we obtain the latest and most up to date information? Where can I find certifying providers for a medical cannabis card? What are the average costs to obtain a medical card/cannabis products? What is the patient experience in medical dispensaries? And is there a knowledge gap amongst medical providers when it comes to cannabis, and if so, how can we bridge that gap?
For patients and caregivers, the evolution of New York’s Medical Cannabis Program has recently allowed home cultivation for access to needed medication, the addition of whole flower in medical dispensaries, expansion of eligible practitioners to recommend medical cannabis, and the removal of patient registration fees.
For practitioners, amidst growing interest in cannabinoids in the medical community and shifting attitudes towards cannabis as medicine, clinicians must understand current cannabis use patterns among patients to inform appropriate counseling and guidance.
This event will provide informative conversation for patients, caregivers, clinicians, and those who are interested in the medical cannabis community by breaking down the current and ongoing implementation of key provisions of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) and how changes made to the Medical Cannabis Program will affect patients in New York, and how we can improve the relationship between patients, caregivers and practitioners.
