New York Medical Marijuana Doctors: A Complete Guide

Getting your medical marijuana card is a great way of ensuring you can take a daily dose of cannabis if you have a qualifying condition. But you might be wondering how you can get your card. Keep reading to find out more. 

About the Medical Marijuana Program in New York

To participate in the program, you have to be at least 18 years of age. But if you are still a minor, then you can have an approved caregiver to register on your behalf. You also have to be a resident of the state and show proof of this by sending a copy of your New York driver’s license. You can also use your ID card that shows your current New York address. You might also be required to show other documentation. 

A certified physician has to evaluate you and your condition. Then, you have to be diagnosed with one of the qualifying conditions. You will also need to set up a my.ny.gov account. There is a $50 application fee for each designated caregiver and patient. You can have as many as two caregivers. You will submit your application through the patient registry system. 

After the Process 

If your application gets approved, then you will get a temporary identification card through your my.ny.gov account. With this state-issued ID, you can then buy some approved products. You will get the permanent card mailed to the address that you put on the application. 

Some regulations that were introduced in August 2017 and went into effect at the end of that year made it easier for patients to choose their medical marijuana products. Patients can go to a physical dispensary and speak with a registered organization representative. That way, they can get more information about the medical cannabis program, as well as the approved delivery methods. A registered organization representative can manufacture and distribute cannabis products that you can’t smoke, such as lotions, lozenges, tablets, patches, and solid products.

Qualifying Conditions

There are many conditions that might make you eligible to get a card in New York. These can include:

• HIV/AIDS: AIDS is a disease caused by HIV, which attacks your immune system and destroys white blood cells. 

• Cachexia/Wasting Syndrome: This condition happens when you lose a lot of weight quickly. It often happens because of a loss of muscle mass if you have another chronic condition, such as cancer. It can cause fatigue and weakness.

• Cancer: This is a group of conditions that occur when the cells grow out of control. There are more than 100 kinds of cancer, and each one is classified by the type of cell it can affect. Cancer alters the growth and reproduction of your cells and can cause tumors to form. 

• Chronic Pain: This is caused by any number of conditions, such as arthritis, backaches, or joint pain.

Regulations on Cultivation and Possession of Cannabis

There are still limits on the total amount of cannabis you have even once you have your card. You can only have a certain amount of usable, approved cannabis that will be dispensed to you in controlled doses. You will not be able to get more than a 30-day amount at any one time. 

You can’t smoke your cannabis for a delivery method. You also can’t access any plant material, which means is that you can’t grow your own marijuana at home. The website does list several registered organizations, such as dispensaries and manufacturing locations. You can get medical cannabis products from any registered facility in New York state. 

Using Telemedicine

If you are a qualified patient living in New York, you can see a doctor online instead of speaking to one in person. With telemedicine services, you can get an evaluation from the comfort of your own couch. This is especially beneficial for patients who have chronic conditions that make it hard to get out of the house. 

Changes in the Legislation

There have been several changes to the laws around medical cannabis in the state of New York. For instance, residencies, nursing homes, hospitals, and other facilities can now register to be caregivers. That way, they can get medical cannabis on behalf of a patient. In the past, only the patient or a single caregiver could get the cannabis, which made it hard for patients living at facilities to get their marijuana. 

A bill was also signed that made it easier for very ill patients to get their cannabis faster. They are eligible for an expedited process, so they can register as fast as possible. 

There have also been changes to the program that now allow for more products to be used. Companies can now manufacture and sell more cannabis products. That includes items such as tablets, ointments, patches, semisolid products, and lozenges. 

Assembly Bill 6357 removes the criminal penalties at a state level when it comes to possessing and using cannabis as long as the patient has a written letter from the doctor that says that the patient might benefit from using medical cannabis. The letter should state that the patient can potentially benefit from using the herb to alleviate the symptoms that are caused by certain medical treatments or debilitating medical conditions. 

How Do Doctors Become Marijuana Physicians?

To become a certified medical cannabis doctor, a physician has to complete a course that is approved by the New York State Department of Health. The test is four hours long. Then, they have to register with the department to be an accredited physician. 

Completing this process will make the doctor qualified to certify a patient. Physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners, and doctors all have to be in good standing in the state of New York to certify medical marijuana patients. 

Closing Thoughts

Getting your medical marijuana card doesn’t have to be a hard process. With advances in telemedicine, you can even do it from home. And once you have your card, you can legally enjoy a daily dose or two to try to alleviate your symptoms.