Recommending Marijuana in New York: What Should Doctors Know?

Marijuana is now legal in 29 states across the United States, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Compassionate Care Act was signed into law by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature in July 2014, allowing it to be used in New York state. The New York Compassionate Use Act “provides for the regulation of the manufacturing, retail, and usage of medical marijuana.” The bill also attempts to strike a balance between assisting sick individuals and maintaining public safety.

By the end of 2018, New York had over 1,600 registered medical marijuana practitioners and roughly 56,000 certified patients. The state has a large demand for licensed physicians due to a large number of patients in need of treatment. According to findings published by the Drug Policy Alliance, more than half of New York state’s patients and caregivers have been unable to discover a doctor who would certify them.

If you’re interested in becoming a member of the growing group of licensed physicians and helping to fill a gap, this is your complete doctor’s guide to medical marijuana in New York. We will show you how to suggest medical marijuana in New York & how to assist your patients to obtain certification.

Medical Cannabis: What Is It?

The chemicals found in marijuana plants are used to treat illness or disease via the drugs contained in the plant. Cannabis may help with a range of medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and glaucoma. Medical cannabis has been used for many years to alleviate the symptoms of life-threatening illnesses. According to lab tests, the cannabinoids found in medical cannabis act like our body’s natural cannabinoids. These cannabinoids have been found to improve appetite, relax muscles, decrease anxiety, and even destroy cancer cells.

Under state law, no one may grow marijuana for medical purposes. According to New York laws, only particular brands with a specified cannabinoid amount and high standards must be followed. Medical marijuana is not provided by physicians. Only registered doctors can recommend a particular quantity and type of cannabis, as well as verify that patients are qualified.

Medical cannabis goods that have been authorized by the state commissioner of health may be made only by licensed manufacturers in New York. The following are currently permitted:

• Chewable tablets
• Capsules
• Effervescent tablets
• Lozenges
• Oil
• Transdermal patches
• Topical forms

Smoking marijuana is illegal in New York due to the health risks associated with it.

Certification of medical cannabis patients in New York

Certification is only available to those who satisfy the specified criteria as mandated by law. Patients with extremely or potentially deadly diseases may be able to apply to medical marijuana The following are examples of qualifying conditions:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• HIV or AIDS
• Huntington’s disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuropathy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Severe or debilitating chronic pain

Patients must also meet the following criteria when receiving either of the following conditions:

• Debilitating chronic pain
• Seizures
• Severe nausea
• Severe or persistent muscle spasms
• Wasting syndrome

The Medical Cannabis Program in New York: Risks and Benefits

Before you suggest marijuana in New York, read the following key parts of the Compassionate Care Act:

• The implementation of medical marijuana laws and regulations is overseen by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
• The governor has the ultimate authority in terms of public safety and health, and he or she can end the program if necessary.
• The commissioner of health may also add further qualifying conditions to the list authorized by the governor.
• To acquire medical marijuana, patients must first be certified by a doctor.
• To certify patients, a practitioner must be trained, licensed by the state, and registered with the NYSDOH.
• The prescription is under the supervision of his or her medical professional, and the patient is required to continue taking it.
• The medical marijuana doctor must decide on the best form and amount of medication for their patients.
• Marijuana must be kept in its original packaging.
• Patients and their caregivers must submit separate applications for the identification card to the NYSDOH.
• The identification card is valid for one year after the date of certification.
• When medical marijuana is not in their pocket, patients must display their card.
• Only NYS Department of Health-registered businesses may produce, deliver, transport, sell, dispense or distribute medical marijuana.

The following practitioner restrictions are there to keep you informed about the legal hazards of recommending medical marijuana treatment and certifying patients. You’ll see that there are restrictions to comply with, however the dangers aren’t nearly as numerous as many people believe. As a licensed practitioner, you may not:

• Any transaction in which you, directly or indirectly, seek, accept or receive, anything of value from a recognized charity is prohibited.
• A licensed medical cannabis patient may be eligible for a discount or other item of value, depending on their agreement to utilize a specified physician, registered organization, brand, or form of an approved medical marijuana product.
• At any location owned registered organization, a qualifying patient can be examined to diagnose a significant medical condition.
• Benefit from a patient receiving a written certification that does not include charging an appropriate fee for the visit.
• Have any family member, spouse, or colleague who has an immediate or indirect financial interest in a registered company that may profit from a patient’s or caregiver’s medical marijuana purchase.
• Create your certification for yourself, coworkers or employees, family members,
• Provide or Receive cannabis product samples.
• If you have any patients who have been certified, act as their caregivers

As a medical practitioner, you must also fulfill various reporting obligations, including the filing of:

• If a certified patient dies or their condition changes to the point that they are no longer eligible in five days.
• To cancel a certification earlier than planned, the issuing doctor may issue a re-issuance of the patient’s certificate to terminate the certification on a later date.
• Adverse events in patients.

The following are some of the other things to consider:

• Medical marijuana is not required to be covered by health insurers.
• The health commissioner has the authority to establish the price and promulgate any necessary regulations.
• If practitioners want to avoid a class E felony, they should not issue certifications to individuals who do not require one.

According to findings from the Drug Policy Alliance, 29% of patients reported that their doctors raised legal issues while certifying them for medical marijuana. The real danger is only minor for physicians in regards to medical marijuana since they simply certify patients. There shouldn’t be any legal problems if you adhere to a few of the regulations as a registered medical marijuana doctor.

How Does a Doctor Become Involved in the New York Medical Marijuana Program?

To become a registered medical cannabis doctor in New York, you must only follow a few procedures. In New York, there are certain requirements for becoming a registered medical marijuana doctor.

The process of becoming registered is straightforward and requires only three simple actions.

• Education: Complete an approved internet course and submit your certificate to the New York State Department of Health.
• Online Registration: Use the internet Health Commerce System to register..
• Certify: After you’ve completed the registration process, examine patients for qualifying diagnoses.

The following themes must be covered in the approved four-hour course:

• Abuse
• Adverse reactions
• Benefits
• Cannabis pharmacology
• Contraindications
• Dependence
• Dosing
• Drug interactions
• Methods of administration
• Overdose prevention
• Precautions
• Risks
• Side effects

Where can you enroll in an online class that has been approved? The following two educational providers have been given permission by the NYSDOH to offer online courses:

• TheAnswerPage: One solution is to take an online course, which costs $249 and provides four hours of continuing education credit, that covers the subject.
• The Medical Cannabis Institute: This is a great program for professionals who want to gain more expertise on how cannabinoids work in the body. This online course from the Society of Cannabis Clinicians is $229 and does not currently give continuing education credits.

How Do Physician-Issued Medical Marijuana Certificates Work?

After you’ve finished the registration procedure, you’ll be able to generate certificates. The process of issuing a certificate is as follows:

• Determine whether your patient has a qualifying medical condition by referring to the list.
• To check if your patient is a good candidate for the medical marijuana program, consult the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) registry to review their controlled substance history and decide if they are suitable.
• To verify your patient, fill out the online form and submit it.

You may use the Health Commerce System (HCS) to search the PMP registry. To certify a patient, you’ll need to fill in patient information and submit the form through the HCS.

For individuals who are New York’s residents for a limited time, you should state:

• The certification will expire on a certain date.
• The certification will expire no more than one year later unless the patient is incurably ill; otherwise, it will expire on the date shown.

For a non-resident of New York who receives care and treatment in the state, the certificate should be valid for no longer than the patient expects to remain under treatment in New York, and This yearly card is valid for a year and should not be used for more than that period.

After you’ve filled out the form, click the submit button and print one copy for your patient and another to keep in your office for five years. Handwritten signatures should be dated and handwritten on the printed certificate.

How Do Patients or Their Caregivers Obtain Medical Marijuana?

After you’ve certified a patient, they must receive a registry identification card by completing an NYSDOH application. They will need to choose up to two caregivers to care for and monitor their medical marijuana on their behalf during the application procedure. Designated caregivers must complete an additional form and register with the NYSDDOH in order to obtain a registry identification

Choosing caregivers

A person who wants to be a designated caregiver must do the following:

• Successfully submit and get an identification card for a registered caregiver.
• Unless determined by financial hardship, pay the application fee of $50, which are nonrefundable.
• Show them your ID and a government-issued residency document.

If the application is successful, the Department of Health shall approve it, deny it, or determine that it is incomplete within 30 days. If the application is incomplete, or incorrect, then they will notify the caregiver by email or phone and explain what papers are required to move forward. Following their registration process, the caregiver will be given a registry identification card.

The applicant has 30 days to submit any missing information to the NYSDOH. If the necessary information is not provided in time, the application will be refused. In addition, if an applicant who is already a designated caregiver for five presently certified patients or fails to provide correct data, the department may refuse registration.

Identification cards for medical marijuana

Patients & their designated caregivers must first receive their registry identification cards before being able to purchase approved medications from one of the state’s registered dispensaries. Each licensed business may have up to four dispensary locations.

Benefits of Getting a NY Marijuana Card

A registry identification card is a permit that allows patients to use medical marijuana without fear of legal repercussions. Patients can take advantage of medical marijuana treatment by obtaining a registry identification card and keeping it with them at all times. They can possess medical marijuana if they follow the regulations and carry their card when they do so. They can do the following.

• Take marijuana into possession without any risk.
• Save your money rather than illegally obtaining recreational marijuana to alleviate symptoms.
• Take advantage of the numerous health advantages of marijuana goods produced particularly for medical ailments.
• Marijuana treatments may be used safely if done under a physician’s supervision.

Consume cannabis products that are not harmful or unhealthy to smoke.

How a doctor can issue a certificate in New York: Do’s & Don’ts

As a licensed medical doctor, you are restricted in terms of certification. There are certain things you can and cannot do while certifying individuals who do not have qualifying illnesses. You will generally be given the power and duty to:

• Provide a certificate after examining a patient.
• Identify the organizations that are registered
• Adverse effects should be reported
• Renewal of a patient’s certification
• Specify the dosage and form
• Enroll in continuing education courses without registering for the medical cannabis program.

You cannot do any of the following as a licensed doctor:

• Don’t issue certificates to individuals who don’t require them.
• Certification for yourself, family members or coworkers.
• Multiple certifications can be assigned at once
• Marijuana for sale
• Allow patients to apply and issue certificates for medical marijuana without having to register with the state of New York

Join us today

Do you want to be a part of the cutting-edge medical marijuana industry and help your patients with difficult ailments? Are you already a qualified doctor? If that’s the case, don’t forget to register here because this is the most trustworthy source for doctors and patients wanting medical marijuana guidance and information.

Because medical marijuana is relatively new, you’ll want to keep up with any changes. Our website will assist you in staying up to date on the latest news regarding medical marijuana in New York state. When you become a certified doctor, you will receive the following advantages.

• Exposure: Your clinic will be able to help many people who require medical marijuana treatment.
• Easy communication: It will be convenient for you to receive pre-qualified patient appointment requests placed directly into your inbox for convenience and security.
• Compliance: We appreciate the importance of protecting your data and following HIPAA standards. Our service is compliant with the payment card industry’s security standards.
• Resources: There are hundreds of resources to help you get started certifying patients.