Medical Marijuana Info for Doctors: Be Informed

The potential benefits of medical marijuana are continuing to grow. And now, more and more patients are inquiring about the positive effects it can have on their life. Our team is available to give educational presentations to your practice to ensure your team is comfortable recommending medical marijuana. We are committed to ongoing communication with our patients and their physicians, so you can remain informed at all times about the product and care your patient receives.

As a practitioner, you play an important role in helping your patients experience a better quality of life—and our team is ready to assist.

practitioner information

Register as a practitioner with the New York Medical Marijuana Program

In order to recommend medical marijuana to a qualifying patient, practitioners must register with the New York State Department of Health.

Download Registration Information

What do I need to do to be able to recommend medical marijuana?

Practitioners seeking to issue certifications for their patients to receive medical marijuana products must meet the following criteria:

Be qualified to treat patients with one or more of the qualifying conditions
Be licensed in New York state, in good standing as a physician and practicing medicine, or be certified, in good standing as a nurse practitioner and practicing, or be licensed, in good standing as a physician assistant and practicing in New York State, under the supervision of a physician registered with the New York State medical marijuana program
Have completed a course approved by the Commissioner; and
Have registered with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH)

The Practitioner-patient relationship

Practitioners are not “prescribing” medical marijuana. Instead, a practitioner is asked to certify that the patient has a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or is receiving treatment for a chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition that causes a qualifying condition and the patient is under the practitioners continued care.

Practitioners should have a “bona fide” practitioner-patient relationship with the qualifying patient.
A physician, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant should be able to comfortably certify that the qualifying patient is under their care.

Practitioners may accept payment from a qualifying patient for the fee associated with the examination required before recommending medical marijuana.
However, practitioners may not accept any remuneration for making a medical marijuana certification, nor can they accept any remuneration from any dispensary for such a recommendation

Unlike other pharmaceuticals, providers cannot “overprescribe” medical marijuana.
The practitioner provides the authorized brand and form of the approved medical marijuana, the administration method, and any limitations on the use of approved medical marijuana product. If a practitioner has a recommendation regarding dosage, it will be included on the certification, although a recommendation on dosage is not required. Under the law, New York State allows a 30-day supply based on dose. Qualifying patients are unable to procure unlimited amounts of medical marijuana.

Medical Marijuana Info for Doctors: Be Informed

We help you make a difference

Register as a practitioner with the New York Medical Marijuana Program

What do I need to do to be able to recommend medical marijuana?

The Practitioner-patient relationship