Signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the use of medical marijuana to treat certain medical conditions, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a “practitioner” to treat a patient using medical marijuana if the patient is diagnosed with a certain medical condition that includes, but is not limited to, the following conditions medical conditions (Sec. 1):
• AIDS;
• Epilepsy;
• Multiple Sclerosis;
• Cancer; or
• Glaucoma.

• Defines “practitioner” as a physician who practices within the state and meets the following requirements (Sec. 1):
• The physician is licensed by the State of New York;
• The physician by training or experience is qualified to treat the medical condition for which the patient is receiving medical marijuana; 
• The physician has completed a 2 to 4 hour course as determined by the New York State Department of Health; and
• The physician has registered with the Department. 

• Requires the Department to issue registry identification cards for certified patients and designated caregivers (Sec. 1).   

• Prohibits a certified patient from smoking medical marijuana (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a certified patient from smoking, consuming, vaporizing, or growing medical marijuana in a public place regardless of the form of medical marijuana stated in the patient’s certification (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a 7 percent excise tax on sales of medical marijuana (Sec. 4). 

• Requires the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health to license no more than 5 registered organizations that manufacture medical marijuana with no more than 4 dispensing sites that are owned and operated by the registered organization (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the Governor to immediately terminate all licenses that authorize the sale of medical marijuana if the Commissioner of the Department or the Superintendent of State Police recommends that there is a risk to public health or safety (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill will expire 7 years after the bill has been in effect (Sec. 12).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the use of medical marijuana to treat certain medical conditions, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a “practitioner” to treat a patient using medical marijuana if the patient is diagnosed with a certain medical condition that includes, but is not limited to, the following conditions medical conditions (Sec. 1):
• AIDS;
• Epilepsy;
• Multiple Sclerosis;
• Cancer; or
• Glaucoma.

• Defines “practitioner” as a physician who practices within the state and meets the following requirements (Sec. 1):
• The physician is licensed by the State of New York;
• The physician by training or experience is qualified to treat the medical condition for which the patient is receiving medical marijuana; 
• The physician has completed a 2 to 4 hour course as determined by the New York State Department of Health; and
• The physician has registered with the Department. 

• Requires the Department to issue registry identification cards for certified patients and designated caregivers (Sec. 1).   

• Prohibits a certified patient from smoking medical marijuana (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a certified patient from smoking, consuming, vaporizing, or growing medical marijuana in a public place regardless of the form of medical marijuana stated in the patient’s certification (Sec. 1).

• Establishes a 7 percent excise tax on sales of medical marijuana (Sec. 4). 

• Requires the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health to license no more than 5 registered organizations that manufacture medical marijuana with no more than 4 dispensing sites that are owned and operated by the registered organization (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the Governor to immediately terminate all licenses that authorize the sale of medical marijuana if the Commissioner of the Department or the Superintendent of State Police recommends that there is a risk to public health or safety (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill will expire 7 years after the bill has been in effect (Sec. 12).

Full Bill Text