Jesse McKinley of The New York Times report
New York Leaders Reach Deal on Medical Marijuana, with Governor Andrew M. Cuomo by agreeing not to allow patients to smoke it.
The agreement included a major demand of the Cuomo administration: that no smoking of the drug would be permitted, though a variety of other options – including edibles and tinctures – would be. Patients would also be allowed to inhale if the drug was vaporized, similar to e-cigarettes.
“There are certainly significant medical benefits that can be garnered, at the same time, it’s a difficult issue because there are also risks that have to be averted,” Mr. Cuomo said. “We believe this bill strikes the right balance.”
The State Health Department would oversee the program, which would contain a “fail-safe” provision to “pull the plug” on it at any time, Mr. Cuomo said. He called that necessary to protect public health and public safety, adding that it “increases my comfort level a great deal.”
Only a small number of diseases appear to qualify patients, including AIDS, cancer, epilepsy, and serious degenerative conditions. No mention is made of PTSD, general anxiety disorder, pain, glaucoma, social phobia, or many other conditions recognized in other states.
The State Health Department will have up to 18 months to set up regulations, and identify growers, dispensaries, etc.
McKinley reports supporters of medical marijuana were unhappy about the provision not allowing smoking, saying smoking allows better control over dosages, and that those decisions should be left up to doctors, but seem to see this compromise as progress.