We’re excited to report that the New York Department of Health has approved opioid replacement as a qualifying condition for the Medical Marijuana Program:
ALBANY, NY (July 12, 2018) – The New York State Department of Health today announced the filing of emergency regulations adding any condition for which an opioid could be prescribed as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana.
Effective immediately, registered practitioners may certify patients to use medical marijuana as a replacement for opioids, provided that the precise underlying condition for which an opioid would otherwise be prescribed is stated on the patient’s certification. This allows patients with severe pain that doesn’t meet the definition of chronic pain to use medical marijuana as a replacement for opioids.
In addition, the regulation adds opioid use disorder as an associated condition. This allows patients with opioid use disorder who are enrolled in a certified treatment program to use medical marijuana as an opioid replacement. [NY.gov]
The Department of Health also announced that patients will soon have access to temporary ID cards that will provide faster access to the dispensary upon registration with the program:
In addition, within the next week, certified patients and designated caregivers will be able to print temporary registry ID cards. This will allow them to purchase medical marijuana products more quickly after registering for the program. Patients may use the temporary registry ID card in conjunction with a government issued photo identification to purchase medical marijuana products from a registered organization’s dispensing facility. Prior to this enhancement to the Medical Marijuana Data Management System, it could take 7 to 10 days for patients and their caregivers to receive their registry identification cards after their registration was approved. [NY.gov]
We appreciate the continued commitment of the New York Department of Health to ensuring that those in need have safe and efficient access to medical marijuana. We’ll continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure the best possible care for the patients we serve.