FAQ

 Medical Card and Certification Questions

 How can I get a NY medical marijuana card and make purchases?

If you live in New York and have a qualifying medical condition, you’re eligible to apply for a medical marijuana card. You’ll need to obtain a patient certification from a registered doctor, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner, and submit a patient application to the New York Department of Health. Once you receive your NY medical marijuana card, you can begin making purchases at the dispensary.
Click here for step-by-step instructions: How to Get a NY Medical Marijuana Card

 What are the qualifying medical conditions in New York?

To participate in New York’s medical marijuana program, patients must have a qualifying medical condition and experience associated or complicating symptoms. The qualifying medical conditions are as follows:

• ALS
• Cancer
• Chronic Pain
• Epilepsy
• HIV/AIDS
• Huntington’s Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuropathy
• Parkinson’s Disease
• PTSD
• Spinal Cord Injury with Spasticity
• Any condition for which an opioid could be prescribed

The associated or complicating conditions include:

• Cachexia/Wasting Syndrome
• Opioid use disorder
• Severe or Chronic pain
• Severe Nausea
• Severe or Persistent Muscle Spasms
• Seizures

Additional qualifying conditions are being considered and added to the program on an ongoing basis.
Click here for step-by-step instructions: How to Get a NY Medical Marijuana Card

 How do I prove New York residency?

In order to participate in New York’s medical marijuana program, you must be able to demonstrate current residency in New York State. You’ll need to provide one of the following proofs of residency:

• ID number from your New York State Driver’s License or New York State Non-Driver ID Card.
• Copy of a government-issued identification card that contains your name and New York State address.
• Copy of a utility bill or other document showing your residency issued within the previous two months. The document must contain your name and address.
• Copy of a current lease or similar document showing your residency within New York State.
• Other documentation as approved by DOH containing sufficient information to show proof of residency in New York State.
• Temporary residents who are receiving treatment in New York for a qualifying medical condition may demonstrate residency by providing a lease, utility bill, hospital bill, or other documentation as approved by the Department of Health.

Click here for step-by-step instructions: How to Get a NY Medical Marijuana Card

 What is a patient certification?

A patient certification is the form your practitioner issues to you when you’ve been approved to use medical marijuana. This document lists which products you are able to purchase and states how long your certification will last. You’ll need your patient certification to obtain a medical marijuana card and visit the dispensary.

 How can I find a doctor, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner to certify me?

We recommend discussing medical marijuana with your primary care physician first. If their office does not provide medical marijuana certifications, then they may refer you to a practitioner who is registered with the program.

Please note that dispensaries are not permitted to provide referrals, but your care provider can access a list of practitioners by clicking here and logging in to the “Physician Access to Registered Practitioners” section.

In the event that your primary care physician is unwilling to assist you with a referral, some patients have found medical marijuana doctors in New York through the help of online search engines or other online resources.

 What questions should I ask my certifying practitioner?

It may be useful to ask some of following questions when visiting a NY medical marijuana practitioner:

• How often will I be expected to renew my certification in order to keep receiving product from a dispensary?
• What is the process for renewing a medical marijuana certification at your office?
• How much do you charge for the initial consultation and Patient Certification?
• How much do you charge to update an existing Patient Certification?
• What if I try the product recommended on the Patient Certification but I don’t think it’s right for me?
• What is the process for trying a new product at a dispensary?
• What sort of documentation will you need from my primary care physician in order to take me as a patient?

 How do expiration dates work?

Patient certifications expire up to one year from the date the doctor signs them, however many practitioners specify an earlier expiration date. Pay close attention to the expiration date on your patient certification. If a patient is terminally ill (as certified by their practitioner), the certification does not expire.

After the patient certification has expired, the patient is required to obtain a new patient certification from his or her practitioner, followed by obtaining a new medical marijuana card from the Department of Health.

If a registered patient renews his or her patient certification and application before their card expires, the card would not expire but would instead be linked to the new patient certification form.

 How do dosage recommendations work?

Each registered patient is allowed up to 3 dosing recommendations at a time determined by the practitioner. This means your practitioner could recommend multiple different product types for specific treatment purposes or times of day. A 30 day supply can be dispensed for each dosing recommendation.

The pharmacist must make sure the patient possesses no more than 30 days supply at a time for each recommendation. Unlike other controlled substance prescriptions, the patient can purchase less than 30 days supply at a time.

The “End Date” is the expiration date of the dosing recommendation. After the end date has passed, an updated certification must be obtained before any further refills. You’ll need to contact your practitioner prior to your appointment if your dosing recommendation is expired.

 Dispensary Questions

 Why should I choose Columbia Care?

Quality: We’re proud to be a dispensary in New York that is licensed to manufacture state-approved medical marijuana products which will enable us to offer the best variety of products and carefully control the quality of our medical marijuana.

Comfort: Each of our NY dispensary locations is carefully designed to create a comfortable experience for our patients and caregivers. Our dispensaries will feature wide halls, cozy seating, beautiful plants and art, spacious restrooms, and wheelchair accessibility.

Customer Service: Our NY staff is friendly, attentive, and highly knowledgeable. We will work hard to maintain a welcoming and safe environment for all our visitors and we’ll do everything we can to make your patient experience a pleasant one.

 What types of medical marijuana are available in New York?

In New York, the approved forms of medical marijuana include oral and sublingual liquids; oil for vaporization or administration via inhaler; capsules to take orally; topicals such as ointments, lotions and patches; solid and semi-solid products, including chewable and effervescent tablets and lozenges; and certain non-smokable forms of ground plant material. Under NY law, smoking is not permitted.

Click here to learn more about the products we offer.

Click here to read the updated NYS DoH regulations.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash and debit cards at our dispensary locations.

 How do I schedule an appointment?

Please click here to schedule an appointment, or call 1-800-764-8162.

 Are walk-Ins welcome?

Yes! We do now have limited walk-in availability at our facilities. Please note that you must have a current NY medical marijuana card to visit the dispensary.

Manhattan: Walk-in Hours: Monday 11am-3pm
Riverhead: Walk-in Hours: Thursday 2pm-5pm
Rochester: Walk-in Hours: Monday 1pm-4pm

 What is patient Early Registration?

New patients who visit our dispensary must complete a patient intake form. For your convenience, we have put the patient intake paperwork online as well. Through Early Registration, new patients can complete the patient intake form prior to visiting our dispensary.

 I’ve already had a medical marijuana consultation. Do I need to have another one to get a refill?

Returning patients are invited to place Express Orders online for quick pick-up. This service is for patients who have tried our products, are comfortable with their respective formulations, and would like to pick up additional boxes or cartridges towards their month supply. Please note that we will need your current NYS Medical Marijuana ID Number in order to process your express order. 

 Is there a number I can call in the case of an adverse event?

Report adverse events 24/7 by calling 844-568-8133. In the case of a medical emergency, dial 911.

 I have a medical marijuana card from another state. Can I use it to purchase at a New York dispensary?

Unfortunately not. New York dispensaries are only permitted to serve patients who have a current NY medical marijuana card.

 Where can I learn more about the transition in Plattsburgh?

Curaleaf New York and Columbia Care have announced that Curaleaf will assume operations at Columbia Care’s medical marijuana dispensary in Plattsburgh. The transition will take place on April 5, 2018. Please click here for more information.

 Caregiver Questions

 What is a caregiver?

A caregiver is a trusted friend, family member or assistant who is authorized to purchase medical marijuana products and transport them to the patient.

 How do I add a designated caregiver to my account?

Registered patients who would like to add a designated caregiver to their account should go back into their patient file with the NY State Department of Health and add a caregiver. Please know that the caregiver would also need to create an application online and accept that designation as a caregiver. Only then will the NY medical marijuana caregiver card arrive in the mail. Feel free to call the number on the back of the medical marijuana ID card if you have any questions: 1-866-811-7957

 Practitioner Questions

 Who is eligible to approve patients for medical marijuana in New York?

Practitioners seeking to issue certifications for their patients to receive medical marijuana products must meet the following criteria:

• Be qualified to treat patients with one or more of the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in NY.
• Be licensed in good standing as a physician and practicing medicine in New York State, or certified in good standing as a nurse practitioner and practicing in New York State, or licensed in good standing as a physician assistant and practicing in New York State under the supervision of a physician registered with the medical marijuana program.
• Have completed a four-hour course approved by the Commissioner.
• Have registered with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).

For more information, please click here.

 How do I become registered to issue medical marijuana recommendations?

Registration instructions for practitioners are available here.

 How do I obtain access to the Practitioner’s Portal on your website?

Please contact: jwaples@col-care.com to access the Practitioner’s Portal.

 Why should I send my patients to Columbia Care NY?

Quality: We’re proud to be a dispensary in New York that is licensed to manufacture state-approved medical marijuana products which will enable us to offer the best variety of products and carefully control the quality of our medical marijuana.

Comfort: Each of our NY dispensary locations is carefully designed to create a comfortable experience for our patients and caregivers. Our dispensaries will feature wide halls, cozy seating, beautiful plants and art, spacious restrooms, and wheelchair accessibility.

Customer Service: Our NY staff is friendly, attentive, and highly knowledgeable. We will work hard to maintain a welcoming and safe environment for all our visitors and we’ll do everything we can to make your patient experience a pleasant one.

 Delivery Questions

 Who is eligible for delivery service?

In order to qualify for delivery, patients must meet the following criteria:

• Have residence in one of the following counties:
  • Cayuga County
  • Erie County
  • Genesee County
  • Livingston County
  • Monroe County
  • Nassau County
  • New York County/Manhattan
  • Niagara County
  • Onondaga County
  • Ontario County
  • Orleans County
  • Richmond County
  • Seneca County
  • Suffolk County
  • Wayne County
  • Wyoming County
  • Yates County
  • Kings County
  • Queens County
• Have previously registered with our dispensary staff either in-dispensary or through video consultation. After an initial registration has been completed with our pharmacist, it will be determined if the patient or designated caregiver qualifies for home delivery service.
• Must suffer from a physical incapacity that bars access to transportation, or have mobility issues that make visiting our dispensary in person especially difficult. Columbia Care reserves the right to request verification such as NYS parking permit mv6441 NYS approved documentation or to obtain a physician’s note or an attestation confirming inability to visit a dispensary location or other forms of consent as determined by Columbia Care.
• Be currently enrolled in the New York State medical marijuana program. All currently enrolled medical marijuana patients must have a valid up-to-date Patient Certification issued by a registered medical marijuana practitioner in New York; currently enrolled medical marijuana patients and Caregivers will also have a valid Medical Marijuana ID Card issued by the New York State Department of Health.

 How do I place an order for delivery?

Patients who are eligible for delivery may place an order through the secure form located here.

 Will Columbia Care expand the delivery program to include additional counties?

Yes. Columbia Care is proud to be the first provider in New York State to offer a medical marijuana delivery service to qualifying patients. We’re committed to the success of our new delivery program and we’ll work to expand access for patients across New York State. We will listen to patient feedback and keep you posted as we continue to grow and expand the service.