Approval of flowers after the first regulatory meeting in New York

Medical marijuana patients in New York State will soon be able to do something for the first time in the program’s five-year history: buy smokable marijuana.

The state’s newly formed regulator on Tuesday approved the sale of marijuana flowers and expanded the offerings of a medicinal pots market that only offered steam products and oils.

It was the first meeting of the so-called Cannabis Control Board, which consists of five board members and “is responsible for the implementation of the Marihuana Regulation & Taxation Act and the promotion of the cannabis industry in the state of New York”.

The meeting took place two weeks after New York Governor Kathy Hochul made her last two board appointments.

The Cannabis Control Board reports to the Office of Cannabis Management, created by law passed earlier this year that legalized the use of recreational herbs in New York State.

As defined by law, the Office of Cannabis Management is “a first comprehensive regulatory structure in the country overseeing the licensing, cultivation, production, distribution, sale and taxation of medical, adult and cannabinoids in New York State “.

New York is changing

But while recreational marijuana sales are about 18 months away from taking effect in the Empire State, the Democrats in Albany have urged the new regulator to press ahead with changes to the medical marijuana program, which officially launched in 2016.

Hochul also called for more urgency to introduce the new marijuana reforms in the state.

“New York’s cannabis industry has stalled for far too long,” said Hochul when she announced her appointment to the board last month. “I make important appointments to set up the Office of Cannabis Management for success so that it can get started right away.”

Hochul, who took office in August after Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, said one of her “top priorities is getting the New York cannabis industry up and running”.

According to Buffalo News, the Cannabis Control Board approved further reforms Tuesday, announcing that it would “immediately relax the rules for the state’s medical marijuana program, including greatly expanding the number of people who can prescribe medical marijuana – to include all of dentists to include midwives ”.

The newspaper noted that expanding the roster of officials who can prescribe marijuana “will greatly expand the list of health care participants to include all those authorized to dispense a controlled substance, including dentists, podiatrists and may include other areas of medical care ”.

There are currently, according to Buffalo News, “nearly 3,400 healthcare professionals, most of whom are doctors, nurses, and a few medical assistants. [who] were approved to certify patients as suitable for the drug. “

In addition, the newspaper reported that the board “has also doubled the amount of marijuana that can be dispensed to 60 days, removing the US $ 50 patient and caregiver registration fee and allowing facilities, including hospitals, to dispense medical marijuana Patient is relieved “.

However, the biggest headline of Tuesday’s meeting was the addition of smokable flowers to the state’s medical marijuana supplies, which offers a more economical option for patients who previously could only purchase pills, vapes, and oils. Now they can also get smokable cannabis if that is their choice of medication.

Sales of marijuana flowers at the state’s medical marijuana dispensaries will not begin “until the state has passed certain quality controls,” according to the Buffalo News.

However, the board rejected a proposal. According to the newspaper, “the cultivation of marijuana by people approved on medical grounds was not approved on Tuesday due to a six-month delay in the appointment of the new board of directors.”