compassionate care act Archives

Medical Cannabis Expansion Bills Passed by New York Assembly Health Committee

April 13, 2016

New York’s Assembly Health Committee has passed two bills that would expand the state’s restrictive medical cannabis program.

Under the proposed laws, the state’s requirement that distributors of medical cannabis products must cultivate their own cannabis and produce their own medical products would be repealed. The measures would also double the number of companies allowed to distribute cannabis to registered patients (the number would rise from four, to eight).

Medical Cannabis Dispensaries to Open Throughout New York Within 6 Months

July 31, 2015July 31, 2015

The New York State Department of Health issued licenses today to five organizations giving them the authority to cultivate and distribute cannabis for medical use.

Each of the five organizations will be allowed to open four dispensaries and four cultivate centers, with the dispensaries mandated to be open within six months (putting the deadline at the end of January).

These outlets are possible do to the Compassionate Care Act, which was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo in July of last year.

New York Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Cannabis

July 7, 2014July 7, 2014

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has officially signed the New York Compassionate Care Act into law, a measure legalizing the medical use of cannabis.

Under the new law, those in New York will be allowed to possess and use cannabis for medical purposes if they receive a recommendation from a physician, and subsequently receive a registration card from the State Health Department. Unfortunately smoking cannabis will be prohibited, as Cuomo threatened to veto the proposal otherwise. Vaporizing, however, will be allowed, as will the consumption of cannabis through edibles, lotions, tinctures, oils, etc..

New York Legislature Approves Medical Cannabis Legalization Bill, Governor Expected to Sign Into Law

June 23, 2014June 20, 2014

New York’s Assembly voted at around 2:50AM EST on June 20th to approve the Compassionate Care Act, a proposal to legalize medical cannabis. The vote was quickly followed by the bill’s approval in the Senate.

Under the proposed law, individuals will be allowed to possess cannabis for medical purposes if they receive a recommendation from a physician, and subsequently receive a registration card from the State Health Department. Unfortunately an amendment was approved to prohibit the consumption of cannabis through traditional smoking, because Governor Cuomo threatened to veto the bill if such a change wasn’t made. Vaporizing, however, would be allowed, as would the consumption of cannabis through edibles, lotions, tinctures, oils and so forth.

New York Proposal to Legalize Medical Cannabis Advances

June 12, 2014

A proposal to legalize medical cannabis in the State of New York has advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee, moving it to the Senate Rules Committee (the last step before a full Senate vote). The measure – known as the Compassionate Care Act – has already passed the state’s House of Representatives, and has well more than enough votes to pass the full Senate according to Senator Diane Savino, one of the bill’s sponsors. If approved by the Senate, it will go to Governor Andrew Cuomo for consideration; Cuomo recently stated that he was open to signing the bill.

New York Assembly Passes Bill to Legalize Medical Cannabis

May 27, 2014May 27, 2014

New York’s full Assembly has passed the Compassionate Care Act, a measure to legalize the medical use and distribution of cannabis. A companion bill passed the Senate Health Committee last week, and has enough votes to pass the full Senate according to Senator Diane Savino, the bill’s primary sponsor. If it does pass the Senate, the proposal will head to Governor Andrew Cuomo for consideration.

Under the proposed law, the possession (up to 2.5 ounces) and use of medical cannabis will be entirely legal for those who receive a recommendation from a physician. Dispensaries will be also be legalized, giving patients safe access to their medicine.