Medical Cannabis in New York

The Ins and Outs Of Medical Marijuana In New York

Medical marijuana was legalized in New York State in 2014, but there have been quite a few changes since the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act was signed into law in 2021. Now, the medical marijuana program is run by the Cannabis Control Board and the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM).

If you’re interested in learning more about the New York medical marijuana program, review our guide below.

Become a New York Medical Marijuana Patient

While recreational cannabis is not currently available in New York, the state still has a robust medical marijuana program. There are several steps involved in the process of becoming a medical marijuana patient, including visiting a qualifying medical practitioner.

Qualifications for Medical Marijuana in New York

The certification process begins with speaking to a healthcare practitioner who is registered with the state. New York no longer has a set list of conditions that qualify for medical cannabis–rather, it’s up to the medical practitioner to decide whether or not the patient would benefit from medical marijuana.

Get a Medical Cannabis Card in New York

Once a registered medical practitioner certifies that you would benefit from medical marijuana in New York, you’ll need to register with the state. For a breakdown of how to apply for your New York medical marijuana card, check out our Get a Card guide.

GET STARTED

Become a Caregiver

Medical cannabis patients in New York can designate up to five caregivers to assist with all aspects of medical marijuana treatment, including purchasing, delivery, transportation, and administration of medical cannabis. Visit the OCM website for more information on how to become a medical marijuana caregiver.

Caregivers

Medical Marijuana for Minors

If a patient is under the age of 18 or cannot consent to their medical treatment, they are required to have a designated caregiver to obtain medical marijuana. This caregiver must be 21 or older and one of the following: a parent caregiver or guardian; a representative approved by the OCM; or an employee of a designated caregiver facility.

Minors

FAQs About Medical Cannabis in New York

Because the laws around medical cannabis have shifted over the past few years, we get plenty of questions. To make it easy to find the answers you need, we’ve answered our most frequently asked questions here:

Yes. The same laws that govern medical marijuana in the state of New York apply to medical marijuana patients in NYC.

The cost of medical marijuana in New York varies by dispensary. However, you can plan to pay a 7% excise tax on all medical marijauna purchases.

To get a medical marijuana prescription in New York, you must be certified by a registered healthcare provider and approved for a registry ID card.

Helping Medical Marijuana Patients in New York

As a licensed dispensary in the state of New York, it’s our job to help patients navigate the process of purchasing their prescribed medical marijuana. If you have questions about how to get a card, medical marijuana, or the products and tools you need to consume it, don’t hesitate to visit our medical marijuana dispensaries in New York. We have experts available to help you make an informed decision about your treatment.