Pubdate: Sun, 21 Dec 2014
Source: Oneida Daily Dispatch (NY)
Copyright: 2014 The Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.oneidadispatch.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4546
Author: Michael Virtanen, The Associated Press
Page: 3
Cited: 
http://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/medical_marijuana/docs/regulations.pdf

STATE PROPOSES RULES FOR MEDICAL POT

New York officials on Thursday proposed regulations for a medical 
marijuana program expected to start in 2016.

The Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo authorized the program under a 
law signed in July. It authorizes patients with certain diseases to 
be able to obtain non-smokeable versions of the drug, which can be 
ingested or vaporized.

Conditions include AIDS, Lou Gehrig's disease, Parkinson's Disease, 
multiple sclerosis, certain spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, 
inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathies and Huntington's Disease.

"Our goal is to ensure that New Yorkers have access to the treatment 
they need through a controlled, regulated process," said Dr. Howard 
Zucker, acting state health commissioner.

Meanwhile, officials said they're not getting a federal waiver to 
bring in medical marijuana right away from another state with a 
program. New York is working on limited emergency access to the drug 
with medical institutions in a pilot program, which they hope to 
outline within the next few months.

The proposed regulations were posted online Thursday by the health 
department. They will be subject to 45 days of public comments and 
possible amendments after they are published Dec. 31 in the state 
Register. They call for licensing five businesses or nonprofits in 
New York to grow and distribute the drug.

Applicants have to pay a $10,000 fee for review. Those selected would 
pay an additional $200,000 registration fee and meet security 
guidelines. The licenses would be for two years.

The regulations would require that patients be certified by their 
doctors, who have to register with the department and get approved 
training. Patients then would apply for an identification card needed 
to receive medical marijuana. Certifications will be good for up to a 
year. Cards would cost $50, which could be waived for financial hardship.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom