NY legislators push for broader medical marijuana plan
Dr. Nirav Shah, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, testifies before a joint budget hearing on health and Medicaid on Jan. 30, 2013. Credit: AP /Mike Groll
ALBANY -- New York State Health Commissioner Nirav Shah told lawmakers Monday that he expects a limited medical marijuana program in place within a year, but faced tough questioning by legislators seeking a broader measure.
“I think your department is going down the wrong way and in many ways is wasting it’s time,” said Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island). She noted other states have broader medical marijuana laws which has forced sick New Yorkers to travel for care.
“The time would be better spent implementing a regulatory structure,” she said. “You want to be in front of it, not behind it.”
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s recent order to allow medical use of marijuana includes strict regulations. Cuomo wants the drug now illegal in New York to be used only for specific and grave illnesses such as cancer and AIDS, and only at 20 hospitals.
Shah faced questioning over Cuomo’s plan during Monday’s hearing on the governor’s proposed 2014-15 budget. Several Democratic lawmakers argued the proposal should be expanded under legislation to allow more patients and physicians to make use of marijuana for a wider variety of aliments.
Assembly Health Committee chairman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan) is sponsoring a broader bill with Savino which would allow marijuana to be used to control nausea, pain, anxiety and other symptoms associated with many more illnesses.
The “compassionate care act” bill would legalize possession, purchase, use and delivery of medical marijuana by a “certified patient” or “designated caregiver” when a health professional deems marijuana should be used for unspecified serious conditions. The amount would be limited to 2.5 ounces and the system would be regulated by the Health Department using identification cards.
Savino also urged Shah to develop regulations for a “legal grow industry” to create a safe and reliable source of marijuana for medical use.
“Unless we are growing it here in New York, which we can’t, where are we going to get it?” said Savino, who is part of the Independent Democratic Conference which shares control of the Senate with Republicans.
Sources of medical marijuana include a small federally operated farm.
Get ready for sun and fun with NewsdayTV's summer FunBook special! From celebrating America's 250th birthday to a new ride at Adventureland, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.
