New York House Approves PTSD Bill

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New York is one of the only states that does not list post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition for its medical marijuana program. The state got one step closer to remedying that today, when the Assembly voted overwhelmingly (101-6) to approve A 7006. The bill now heads to the Senate.

Twenty-four of the 29 states with medical marijuana programs allow patients with PTSD to qualify. Two of those that do not (Colorado and Alaska) allow all adults 21 and up to legally purchase and use marijuana, and two (Vermont and…

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New York Could Add PTSD to Qualifying Conditions

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New York recently expanded its medical marijuana program by adding chronic pain, but there is an important group of patients who are still left out — those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Twenty-four of the 29 states with medical marijuana programs allow patients with PTSD to qualify, but New York still does not. A 7006 and S 5629 would change that; please ask your legislators to support these bills.

Last week, the Assembly Health Committee voted unanimously to approve A 7006, and it now heads to the Assembly…

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Cannabis investment climate warming, but big investors not writing checks

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By Omar Sacirbey

Investor interest in cannabis businesses is growing since the 2016 election, a development that ultimately could lead to more dollars flowing to cash-squeezed marijuana companies.

The growing interest comes after seven states legalized medical or recreational marijuana last November, providing more opportunities for investors.

New investors already are jumping in.

Last week, for instance, a venture capital firm that’s bankrolled non-MJ companies – including the news website…

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New York: New Regulatory Changes To Expand Medical Marijuana Access

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NORML | March 23, 2017

ALBANY, NY — Newly enacted regulatory changes to the state’s medical cannabis program are expected to result in increased patient access.

As of this week, patients suffering from chronic pain conditions are now eligible to qualify for cannabis therapy.

In January, a National Academies review of over 10,000 scientific abstracts acknowledged that “conclusive” evidence exists to support the use of cannabis in pain treatment.

Another change in the program allows physician…

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New York: Advocates Push Crucial Legislation to Seal Past Marijuana Possession Convictions

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Drug Policy Alliance | February 28, 2017

ALBANY, NY — Advocates and lawmakers came together for a press conference in Albany on Tuesday to demand reprieve for the harm that has been caused by arrests for low-level marijuana possession and mobilize for legislative solutions to keep New York families together.

New York’s marijuana arrest crusade began more than 20 years ago. Since then, police departments across the state have arrested more than 800,000 New Yorkers for low-level marijuana possession offenses….

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New York State Assembly Passes Landmark Bill to Seal Past Marijuana Possession Convictions

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Drug Policy Alliance | February 15, 2017

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Assembly voted this week in support of a bill that will seal the criminal records of people who have been unjustly and unconstitutionally arrested for simple possession of marijuana in public view.

The vote on Assembly Bill 2142 was 95 in favor and 38 opposed.

Over the last 20 years, more than 800,000 New Yorkers have been arrested for simple possession of marijuana. Those convicted face significant barriers to accessing education,…

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New York City Marijuana Possession Arrests Spike in 2016

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NORML | February 10, 2017

NEW YORK, NY — Criminal arrests for marijuana possession increased ten percent in 2016 despite former promises from Mayor Bill de Blasio to reduce the city’s total number of cannabis-related prosecutions.

New York City police made over 17,600 arrests last year for which the top charge was marijuana possession in the 5th degree – a class B misdemeanor. Of those charged, 85 percent were either Black or Hispanic. Ninety-six percent were arrested specifically for…

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New York Legalization Bills Introduced

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Bills to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana for adults have been introduced in both the New York Senate and the Assembly. The bills — S3040 and A3506 — would allow adults 18 and over to possess up to two ounces of marijuana and cultivate up to six plants. They also set up a regulatory system for businesses to cultivate, process, and sell cannabis to adults 21 and up.

Other bills have been introduced to fix New York’s flawed decriminalization law, under which thousands of people — mostly young people of color — have been forced…

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New York MMJ dispensary offers repeat-customer discount

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Hoping to increase its medical marijuana patient numbers, MMJ business operator Etain Health in New York will introduce a repeat customer discount plan for purchases of its medicine.

It’s the latest incentive offered by one of the state’s five licensed MMJ operators, which have struggled with low patient counts and high prices for their medication.


Trump ReportStarting Tuesday, patients at Etain’s four dispensaries will receive a $5 discount for every $100 spent on medication, the Albany Times-Union reported. The discount increases in $5…

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High Times leaving longtime NYC base for Los Angeles

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High Times magazine announced plans to leave New York City – where it has been headquartered for 43 years – for Los Angeles by the end of April.

The reason for the move?

“The center of the cannabis universe has moved to California,” said Matt Stang, High Times’ chief revenue officer, according to Crain’s New York Business.


Precision Extraction SolutionsHigh Times employs about 30 people at its Manhattan office, but it’s unclear how many of them will move to Los Angeles, where the magazine also plans to hire local staff.

The magazine has been buoyed by the…

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New York Governor Pushes for Marijuana Decriminalization Fix

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Drug Policy Alliance | January 13, 2017

ALBANY, NY — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday his renewed commitment to decriminalizing marijuana possession in his State of the State Book, which outlines his agenda for the 2017 Legislative Session.

New York State first decriminalized personal marijuana possession in 1977, recognizing the harmful impact an arrest could have on young people.

Criminalization of the offense has continued, however, due to a loophole left in the law by lawmakers that…

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Vireo gets nod to operate NY’s first medical cannabis delivery service

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Regulators have given Vireo Health of New York the go-ahead to deliver medical marijuana to its patients, making it the first cannabis business in the state to get such approval.

Verio’s delivery service comes in response to a new state regulation intended to boost New York’s struggling MMJ program by making the medicine more accessible to patients.

The company said in a press release it would be able to start deliveries within 90 days, though delivery pricing and other details will be announced later.


Precision Extraction SolutionsVireo, one of five companies…

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MedMen acquires troubled New York medical cannabis licensee

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MedMen, a California-based marijuana management and consulting firm, has acquired Bloomfield Industries, a financially troubled New York cannabis business license holder that in recent months has been unable to pay vendors and has been casting for new investors.


Precision Extraction SolutionsA New York Health Department spokeswoman emphasized to Politico that Bloomfield would not be transferring its license to MedMen, a move that is prohibited under state cannabis business laws. Rather, she described the transaction as a change in ownership, which is permitted if…

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Western New York NORML Introduces “Buffalo Cannabis Act”

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TJ Baker | December 21, 2016

BUFFALO, NY — Marijuana reform activists have filed a resolution with Buffalo city lawmakers asking them to direct city police to stop arresting people for possessing small amounts of marijuana.

At a public meeting Tuesday, supporters from Western New York NORML, an affiliate of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, introduced the “Buffalo Cannabis Act” to the city’s Common Council legislative committee.

The resolution calls for the…

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Possibility of new competition concerns New York’s existing medical cannabis companies

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NewYorkMedicalMarijuana

By Omar Sacirbey

Medical marijuana businesses in New York are hopeful that recent and proposed changes to the state’s MMJ program will increase patient numbers and boost sales.

But the five existing companies, currently operating below their capacities, worry those gains could be negated by plans to allow newcomers to enter the market.

“Adding new registered organizations will divide up the patients even more. They need to fix the demand side first and then adjust supply,” said Jeremy Unruh, general counsel at PharmaCann, one of the…

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New York Joins States That Allow Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain

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On Dec. 1, the New York Department of Health announced that it will add chronic pain as a qualifying condition for the medical marijuana program. It will publish proposed rules, “which will include language specifying the chronic pain conditions that would qualify for medical marijuana.”2000px-flag_of_new_york_city-svg

Under current law, patients only qualify if their pain is caused by one of a few qualifying conditions. Allowing medical cannabis for patients with chronic pain will vastly expand the number of seriously ill patients who can enroll in the program….

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New York Adds Chronic Pain as Qualifying Condition for Medical Marijuana Program

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Drug Policy Alliance | December 2, 2016

NEW YORK—The New York State Department of Health announced Thursday that they will expand New York’s beleaguered medical marijuana program by adding chronic pain as a qualifying condition under New York’s Compassionate Care Law.

This decision by the Department of Health is a victory for patient advocates and for all New Yorkers who suffer from debilitating pain,  which medical marijuana has been proven to help treat.

“Medical marijuana is a scientifically proven…

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New York to Add Chronic Pain to Medical Marijuana Conditions

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TJ Baker | December 1, 2016

ALBANY, NY — Chronic pain will soon be added to the list of conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in New York.

“Medical marijuana is already helping thousands of patients across New York State, and adding chronic pain as a qualifying condition will help more patients and further strengthen the program,” New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard A. Zucker said in a statement Thursday.  “After conducting a thorough review of the scientific…

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NFL: Bill’s Player Suspended 10 Games for Using Marijuana to Treat Chron’s Disease

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Ross Baglia | November 30, 2016

The NFL has issued a 10-game suspension to Buffalo Bill’s offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson for violating the league’s substance abuse policy after failing a drug test, which does not tolerate marijuana use, not even for medical conditions.

Henderson appealed the ruling, but the suspension was upheld and formally announced by the NFL on Tuesday, releasing the following statement:

Seantrel Henderson of the Buffalo Bills has been suspended without pay for the team’s next 10…

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Chart: New York Medical Marijuana Patient Count Rising, But Still Has Long Way to Go

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By Eli McVey

After an abysmal start, New York’s fledgling medical marijuana program is finally building momentum.

Since late January – shortly after the first dispensaries opened – the number of registered patients has grown by an average of 32% a month.

There are now around 7,600 medical cannabis patients in the state, up 1,500% from 481 nearly eight months ago.

But the overall total remains small relative to New York’s market potential, and the state’s licensed medical cannabis companies are still struggling.

New York’s MMJ…

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New York Medical Marijuana Company Claims First Labor Pact

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Medical marijuana producer Vireo Health has signed what it claims is the first agreement with organized labor in New York State.

According to the Daily Gazette, Vireo, which holds cannabis business licenses in New York, Maryland and Minnesota, has entered into an agreement with Local 338 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. The union will represent all of Vireo’s current New York workers, and covers all future employees as well.

Vireo has dispensaries in Albany, Johnson City, Queens and White Plains, and claims to be the…

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Week in Review: Dueling Ballot Measures, MT Dispensaries Close, New York Aims for Reform

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By John Schroyer

Arkansas makes what could be an offbeat piece of medical marijuana history, Montana’s MMJ industry comes to at least a temporary end, and New York officials look to bolster the state’s medical cannabis industry.

Here’s a closer look at some notable developments in the marijuana industry over the past week.

Two for the Price of One?

Arkansas will be an interesting state to watch on Election Day.

It’s apparently the first state to have a pair of competing medical marijuana legalization measures on the ballot vying for…

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Week in Review: Growth Potential in New York, Oregon Rec Market Red Hot & MI Stumbles

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By John Schroyer

New York’s health department recommends doubling the size of the state’s medical marijuana industry, Oregon recreational applications flood in as adult-use sales skyrocket, and Michigan’s MJ legal limbo may persist a few more years.

Here’s a closer look at some notable developments in the marijuana industry over the past week.

Doubling Down

In a rare move for a state agency, the New York State Department of Health this week issued a report recommending – among other things – that the number of MMJ business licenses

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New York Growing Hemp for First Time in 80 Years

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Madison County, just east of Syracuse, New York, is home to the first legal industrial hemp crop in the state in 80 years.

And thanks to a bill signed into law on Friday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the cultivators will be allowed to sell it under an existing pilot program, according to the Journal News.

The bill was necessary because the 2014 law that launched the current hemp crop only allowed farmers and universities to grow the plant for research purposes.

JD Farms, which is working hand in hand with Morrisville State College on the project, is…

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New York Governor Unaware of MMJ Program Problems

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After a recent study sharply criticized New York State’s medical marijuana program, the state’s governor said he was unaware of concerns that both patients and caregivers were having difficulty getting access to medical cannabis.

“I haven’t heard issues that people can’t find access,” Cuomo told reporters in Buffalo when asked about the criticism, according to The Journal News. “You don’t have one on every corner because you don’t have that kind of demand. But if you need the drug, you can get the drug.”

Earlier this…

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NY Assembly Passes Bill to Seal Past Marijuana Possession Convictions

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NY Assembly Passes Bill to Seal Past Marijuana Possession Convictions

Bill is First Step Toward Comprehensive Plan to Redress Harms of the War on Drugs in Communities of Color; As Legislative Clock Winds Down, Advocates and Assemblymembers Urge Senate to Quickly Pass the Companion Bill in the Senate

ALBANY, NY — On Wednesday, the New York State Assembly voted in support of Assembly Bill 10092, a bill that will seal the criminal records of people who have been unjustly and unconstitutionally arrested for simple possession of marijuana in public view. The bipartisan vote was 99 in favor and 42 opposed.

Over…

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New York: Medical Marijuana Too Expensive; Access Difficult for Most Patients

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Seventy-seven Percent of Patients & Caregivers Surveyed Who Accessed the Program Say They Cannot Afford the Medicine They Need

On January 7th 2016, New York became the 23rd state to rollout its medical marijuana program. The law, which was passed in June of 2014, took eighteen months to implement and has been criticized as being one of the most restrictive and burdensome programs in the country. Since the program was launched, patients and advocates have been frustrated by numerous barriers to accessing the program, including difficulty…

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$500k of Medical Marijuana Oil Missing in Minnesota

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Minnesota authorities are probing whether one of the state’s two licensed medical marijuana producers illegally shipped $500,000 worth of MMJ oil to a sister company in New York.

The company in question, Minnesota Medical Solutions, is owned by Vireo Health, the same firm that owns one of the five MMJ business licenses in New York. Both states prohibit smokable MMJ, and allow only oils, tinctures, pills, and the like.

The investigation was kicked off after a former employee accused the…

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Week in Review: Oregon MJ Boost, Support for Vermont Rec Bill & New York Blues

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By Omar Sacirbey and John Schroyer

Oregon dispensaries get some great news, Vermont’s governor throws his weight behind a recreational marijuana bill, and New York’s fledgling MMJ program continues to struggle.

Here’s a closer look at several notable developments in the marijuana industry over the past week.

More Relief in Oregon

Medical dispensaries in Oregon are rejoicing this week, as they should be.

On Tuesday, the state’s governor signed into law a bill that, among other things,…

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New York: About 1,000 Patients Have Received MMJ

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Although an estimated 2,039 medical cannabis patients in New York have been ruled eligible to purchase marijuana under the state’s law, only about half of those have actually made a purchase, a department of health spokesman told Politico.

New York is one of several states, including Illinois and Minnesota, with relatively new medical marijuana programs that are suffering from low patient registries. The problem is that if something isn’t done to increase the patient pool, businesses…

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New York MJ Business Reveals Banking Partner

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One of the 50 largest credit unions in the United States is banking legalized medical marijuana money.

Ari Hoffnung, CEO of Vireo Health of New York, revealed to the Albany Business Review that his company has a deposit account with the State Employees Federal Credit Union (SEFCU) in Albany, New York.

Vireo holds one of the five licenses in New York to cultivate and sell medical cannabis.

The company can use the account to deposit money and pay its employees and vendors.

The SEFCU is federally…

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High Prices, Dearth Of Doctors Hurting NY Businesses

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High prices and a dearth of certified doctors who can recommend medical marijuana continue to hurt the five companies licensed to sell MMJ in New York.

That was made painfully clear this week following a presentation about medical marijuana at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany that was attended by dozens of doctors – none of whom seemed willing to sign up to recommend cannabis, according to the Albany Times-Union.

A patient liaison at the hospital told doctors that they would also need to…

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7 Ways New York’s Medical Marijuana Program Falls Short

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7 Ways New York’s Medical Marijuana Program Falls Short

What looks to be the country’s tightest medical marijuana program has an extremely limited number of producers and retailers, a tiny number of eligible patients, a dearth of doctors, and forbids both smoking marijuana and using edibles.

New York’s long-delayed medical marijuana program finally rolled out this month, not with a bang, but with a whimper. What looks to be the country’s tightest medical marijuana program has an extremely limited number of producers and retailers, a tiny number of eligible patients, a dearth of doctors, and…

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ASA Releases New Report on State Medical Marijuana Programs

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With the release last year of the first detailed analysis and comparison of state medical marijuana laws, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) created a patient-focused tool to identify effective programs and problem areas. That groundbreaking report was followed by the release of ASA’s new, far more detailed report on state programs, which reflects the many new states that have added programs as well as others that have improved their existing programs.

Like the original report, this latest white paper enables advocates, policy makers and…

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ASA Report Evaluates Medical Marijuana Programs Nationwide

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ASA Report Evaluates Medical Marijuana Programs Nationwide

Patient Advocates Hope Report will Help State Legislators “Make the Grade” in 2016

WASHINGTON, DC — Americans for Safe Access (ASA) issued “Medical Marijuana Access in the US: A Patient-Focused Analysis of the Patchwork of State Laws,” on Tuesday. The annual report evaluates the array of differing state medical cannabis programs across the country from a perspective often overlooked in policy debates: the patients’ and provides policy makers with model legislation and regulations. With dozens of states already seeing legislative…

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New York’s Medical Marijuana Program is Already a Failure

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NEW YORK, NY — New York’s medical marijuana program officially launched this week, but has gotten off to a very slow start by all accounts.

Here’s a look at New York state’s medical marijuana program by the numbers:

  • 19.75 million – New York State’s population according to the 2014 census.
  • 174 doctors have registered with the state department of health to recommend medical marijuana to patients.
  • 71 patients have enrolled in the state’s medical marijuana program.
  • 30 day supply of medical marijuana products may be purchased by…

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New York to Launch Medical Marijuana Program Tomorrow

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Significant Concerns About the Program – Including Low Physician Enrollment – Remain

NEW YORK, NY — The New York State Department of Health (DOH) announced Tuesday that New York’s medical marijuana program will officially open on Thursday, January 7th.

While the state has authorized 20 dispensaries to open statewide, only eight will open on Thursday, with the rest slated to open later in January, leaving huge areas of the state without access to a dispensary.

This marks the first time that patients in New York can legally purchase…

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New York City’s First Medical Marijuana Dispensary to Open in Union Square

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Manhattan Dispensary will be the First of Four Columbia Care Dispensaries to Open in New York State

NEW YORK, NY — Columbia Care LLC announced Tuesday that its first dispensary in New York State, located at 212 East 14th Street in Manhattan’s Union Square, will open to qualifying patients on Thursday, January 7, 2016.

As one of five companies licensed as a Registered Organization by the New York State Department of Health, Columbia Care will open three additional dispensaries throughout New York State later this month.  New York’s…

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New York’s First Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Opening Thursday

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ALBANY, NY — Medical marijuana is finally coming to the Empire State.

The New York State Department of Health announced Tuesday that the state’s medical marijuana program will officially launch on Thursday, with several dispensaries opening throughout the state.

Once launched, the program will make approved forms of medical marijuana, which has been shown to help alleviate pain and enhance the quality of life for individuals suffering from certain diseases, available with a physician’s certification at designated dispensaries across New…

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New York MMJ Program Lacking Doctors

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New York’s five licensed medical marijuana companies say they will be ready to open dispensaries next month when the state’s MMJ program officially launches.

The dispensaries might not have many customers to serve, however, as the state’s physician certification and patient registration processes are not yet complete, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Thus far, the New York State Department of Health has not released a list of physicians who are certified to dispense…

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New Yorkers, It’s Time to Talk to Your Doctor About Medical Cannabis Education

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Talking to your doctor is one of the most important parts of good health care. We know your health care is very important to you. Which is why we want to encourage you to talk to your physician about medical cannabis therapeutics and education.

Whether you are already a patient or looking to find more information about medical cannabis as a treatment option, it is imperative your physicians have all the information they need before making decisions regarding your care. While your physician has spent countless hours obtaining education,…

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New York Expedites Access As First Crop Is Harvested

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed two bills on Wednesday to establish an “emergency” medical marijuana program for qualified patients, separate Compassionate Care Act set to roll out in January, the New York Times reported.

Despite Coumo’s announcement, there was uncertainty about who would provide medical cannabis under the emergency program. Cuomo’s statement indicated the New York program would be “giving preference” to cultivators in other states that could provide medical…

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New York Governor Signs Medical Marijuana Emergency Access Bill

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Patients and Families Applaud Gov. Cuomo and Call on Health Department to Implement Law Quickly and Get Medicine to Critically Ill Patients

NEW YORK, NY — After months of pressure from patients and advocates, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill Wednesday that will expedite access to medical marijuana for critically ill patients in the Empire State.

In June, with overwhelming bipartisan support, both houses of the legislature passed A.7060 (Gottfried) / S.5086 (Griffo), directing the state to establish a program to help…

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NY Cannabis Real Estate Company Lands $25 Million

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Kalyx Development, a Manhattan real estate company that leases properties to indoor cannabis growers and also provides consulting services for property renovations, announced Friday that it has closed a $25 million round of equity funding.

The company owns properties that are either already fully leased or are in the process of being leased to cannabis growing operations in Colorado, Washington and Oregon. Kalyx also assists in financing infrastructure upgrades.

According to a recent report…

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Patients to Rally at New York Governor’s Office for Emergency Access to Medical Marijuana

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Bill That Would Provide Faster Relief to Suffering Patients Passed NYS Legislature with Overwhelming Bipartisan Support But Needs Cuomo’s Signature to Become Law

NEW YORK, NY — One day before the deadline for Governor Cuomo to sign or veto a bill that would create emergency access to medical marijuana, patients and advocates will rally outside his office to demand action.

  • When: Tuesday, November 10th, 10:00 AM
  • Where: Outside Governor Cuomo’s NYC Offices; 633 Third Avenue, New York, NY

Since the medical marijuana law passed a year ago, not…

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New York: Medical Marijuana Emergency Access Bill Delivered to Governor’s Desk

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Advocates: Not One Patient Has Yet Received Medical Marijuana and Four Children Have Died Waiting in the Past 15 Months; Cuomo Must Sign or Take Other Action to Provide Relief to Suffering Patients

ALBANY, NY — Friday, the New York State Assembly delivered to Governor Andrew Cuomo a bill to expedite access to medical marijuana for critically ill patients.  Cuomo now has ten days to sign or veto the bill.

In June, with overwhelming bipartisan support, both houses of the legislature passed A.7060 (Gottfried) / S.5086 (Griffo), directing the…

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East New York: It's still law enforcement target for marijuana possession | News21: America’s Weed Rush

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Another article out of News 21’s cannabis project: “East New York: It’s still law enforcement target for marijuana possession”.

New York City Mayor…

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New York Returns to Failed Drug War Approaches to Address Synthetic Cannabinoids

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Advocates: New Yorkers Need a Public Education and Health Approach to Deal with Emerging Drugs

NEW YORK, NY — Earlier this week, Governor Cuomo issued regulations and the New York State Senate introduced a bill that would criminalize the sales of synthetic cannabinoids.

Recently, there have been several media reports of tragic episodes involving synthetic cannabinoids, such as spice and K2. Epidemiological reports suggest an increase in hospitalizations due to these substances.

Synthetic cannabinoids  are a class of cannabinoid chemicals…

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NY Sen. Schumer Throws Weight Behind Federal Medical Marijuana Bill

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Senator Schumer Joins NY Senator Gillibrand in Sponsoring the CARERS Act, a Bill that Would End Federal Prohibition of Medical Marijuana

NEW YORK, NY — New York Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) added his name to the Senate’s sweeping medical marijuana bill on Tuesday.

The CARERS Act, introduced in March by Senators Gillibrand (D-NY), Booker (D-NJ), and Paul (R-KY) would end federal prohibition of medical marijuana, and remove barriers for research, veterans, and banking.

The move comes just days before New York State is expected to announce the names of five companies that will be allowed to produce medical marijuana in New York. New York’s medical marijuana is expected to become fully operational in January 2016.

New York patients have expressed their gratitude for Senator Schumer’s…

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One Year Later, Patients & Families Demand Emergency Access to Medical Marijuana in New York

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Not One Patient Has Yet Received Medical Marijuana; Gov. Cuomo Must Sign a Emergency Access Bill or Take Other Action to Provide Relief to Suffering Patients

NEW YORK, NY — On the one year anniversary of the signing of New York’s medical marijuana law, patients and families gathered in front of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s New York City Office to urge him to sign a new bill to expedite access to medical marijuana for critically ill patients.

Since the medical marijuana law passed a year ago, not one patient in New York has been able to access medical marijuana, and at least four children, who could have likely benefited from it, have died while waiting to obtain this much-needed medicine.

“It’s a year and a half since Governor Cuomo announced in the State of the State message that he…

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