A Prescription for New York

Finally! New York is now the twenty-third state to approve marijuana for medical purposes. It will be effective on January 1, 2016.

If you recall, I wrote a commentary on January 7 called The Governor Gets the Light where I reviewed a brief comment made by Gov Cuomo to legalize marijuana for medical use in his State of the State message. As I indicated in that commentary, New York's law would probably be far more restrictive than other states, and now we see is. But, at least it is a start.

New York will allow the use of marijuana for only ten ailments. However, on the surface, a broad interpretation could be taken for some ailments like spinal chord injuries and nerve injuries, neuropathies and irritable bowel disease. Other covered ailments include cancer, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Parkinson's, MS, epilepsy and Huntington disease. 

 

Governor Cuomo

Smoking it will NOT be permitted, but approved delivery systems include vaporizers, edibles and oils. 

 Finally, the state will charge the manufacturer a 7% tax, which, of course,  will be passed along to the patient.

It was a grueling debate between the governor and the lawmakers. The Governor wanted a more restrictive law while lawmakers wanted many more eligible conditions for use. Ultimately, the Governor won concessions, probably in threat of a veto. 

 There will be criminal charges to both patients and physicians who abuse the system. I am sure neither will jeopardize themselves to cheat. Doing so would hurt both groups.

Additionally, the legislation is subject to review seven years from enactment, and an abrupt end if abuse is discovered. Cuomo agreed to back the bill once this "fail-safe" proviso was added.

 The winners of this law are the many people who suffer from so many ailments which will now be treated with medical marijuana. We all know someone who will finally find peace and solace with the administration of marijuana, rather than Vicodin or other chemically manufactured pain killers.

So, twenty-three down, twenty-seven to go. Now that New York, New Jersey, Florida and California (the first state, years ago) are on board, the the rest of the states will fall like dominoes. How soon, then, will the Congress follow?

The sooner, the better.