Sensible and Humane: Medical Marijuana in NY

[Harry J Asslinger]

The title comes from today's editorial in NYT urging Gov. Cuomo to follow step with Gov. Christie and implement a medical marijuana policy.

There is no good reason to deprive patients with cancer or H.I.V. or Lou Gehrig’s disease of the relief from pain or extreme nausea that could come from using marijuana.

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, who once opposed his state’s medical marijuana law, has changed his mind, deciding earlier this month to allow six alternative treatment centers to begin dispensing the drug to those in need, possibly by early next year. Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York needs to change his mind as well.

Governor Cuomo said during his 2010 campaign that he opposed legalization of medical marijuana. Recently, he said he was still opposed but that he was “reviewing” the issue and “we’re always learning and listening, talking and growing. We hope.” It shouldn’t take much more personal growth to make the right call.

Governor Cuomo should ask Governor Christie about how he resolved his own doubts. Mr. Christie could explain how his law is the nation’s most restrictive and how the federal Justice Department has indicated that its agents will rightly direct their energies in New Jersey to go after big-time marijuana traffickers, not doctors or alternative centers helping the desperately ill.

Remaining bits of the article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/opinion/28thu3.html?_r=4

The Cuomo quote referenced in the article is found here, in a Q&A session, where he is asked two questions concerning MMJ: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwBXQ5OQJMs&feature=player_embedded

This has particular relevance because The Medical Use of Marihuana bill, S 2774, was introduced on 2/1/2011 and sent to the Committee on Health, where it has been since. The text of the bill is here: http://newyorkcity.ny.networkofcare.org/mh/legislate/detail.cfm?bill=S%202774

The bill establishes a highly regulated system where the patient (and caregiver, if one is designated) can have a total of 2.5 ounces. No cultivation.


Senator Savino, of Staten Island, a co-sponsor of the bill, sent a letter to Cuomo in support of S 2774:

Dear Governor Cuomo:

New Jersey joined 15 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing doctors to prescribe medicinal marijuana.

I strongly believe that New York should join them.

As someone who has lost both parents to cancer, I know first-hand what it is like to see a loved one in pain and not be able to do anything about it.

Studies, including one from the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, have shown that marijuana can alleviate pain and other symptoms of chronic diseases, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis - even when other medicines have failed.

New Jersey showed real compassion for Garden State residents who suffer from painful, debilitating and life-threatening illnesses. New York needs to follow their example pass legislation to allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana when no other option is available.

The letter is here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/60469868/img-720124436-0001



It appears that Christie lifting his suspension of New Jersey's medical marijuana program has given more force to MMJ in NY. It would be nice to see a political pissing match on the issue (ha!), but Cuomo has said in the past that "The dangers of medical marijuana outweigh the benefits." Hopefully, his most recent commentary in the video above portends some hope for the bill if it manages to reach him.

[murphyj87]

1. Medical Marijuana in Canada (near it's 10th anniversary)

Where does Canada stand on the issue of medical use of marijuana?

On July 30, 2001, Health Canada implemented the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations, which clearly define the circumstances and the manner in which access to marijuana for medical purposes will be permitted. The Regulations contain three main components: Authorizations to possess dried marijuana; licences to produce marijuana, which include Personal-Use Production Licences and Designated Person Production Licences; and access to supply of marijuana seeds or dried marihuana.

Who is eligible to obtain an authorization to possess marihuana?

The regulations outline two categories of people who can apply to possess marijuana for medical purposes.

Category 1: This category is comprised of any symptoms treated within the context of providing compassionate end-of-life care; or the symptoms associated with the specified medical conditions listed in the schedule to the Regulations, namely:

Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from multiple sclerosis;
Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from a spinal cord injury;
Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from spinal cord disease;
Severe pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight loss, and/or severe nausea from cancer;
Severe pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight loss, and/or severe nausea from HIV/AIDS infection;
Severe pain from severe forms of arthritis; or
Seizures from epilepsy.

Applicants must provide a declaration from a medical practitioner to support their application.

Category 2: This category is for applicants who have debilitating symptom(s) of medical condition(s), other than those described in Category 1. Under Category 2, persons with debilitating symptoms can apply to obtain an Authorization to Possess dried marijuana for medical purposes, if a specialist confirms the diagnosis and that conventional treatments have failed or judged inappropriate to relieve symptoms of the medical condition. While an assessment of the applicant's case by a specialist is required, the treating physician, whether or not a specialist, can sign the medical declaration.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. The State of CA was the first in the US, in 96 with Prop 215

Oregon followed in 98 with our own medical marijuana program. Currently, 16 States have Medical Marijuana laws.