What’s Medical Marijuana?
The medical marijuana program in New York State was first introduced in July 2014 with highly restrictive and limited regulations. Since then, many changes have been implemented, such as introducing whole flower to permissible consumption methods and better patient accessibility. This article offers an overview of what medical cannabis is and patient eligibility in New York.
Many people are confused by cannabis terminology, including ‘Medical Marijuana’. The Mayo Clinic defines medical marijuana as being a derivative(s) of the cannabis Sativa plant used to manage symptoms caused by certain medical conditions.
To obtain medical marijuana a patient must receive approval and certification from a licensed practitioner. Once a medical card is obtained, a patient can purchase medical marijuana through legal dispensaries.
The cannabis plant offers many therapeutic benefits due to its chemical compounds. As many as 540 different chemical substances, or cannabinoids, have been identified within the cannabis plant to date.
Some of the more common cannabinoids found within cannabis include delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC and cannabidiol or CBD. Each cannabinoid has different medicinal applications and may treat health conditions as diverse as chronic pain, anxiety, sleep, glaucoma, seizures, and more.
Medical Marijuana Patient Accessibility in New York
With a valid certification for medical cannabis from a state-approved practitioner, legal residents of New York can purchase products from a licensed dispensary. To be certified, you must have been diagnosed with a qualifying health condition.
However, as recently as January 2022 improvements to the program including eligibility expansion, were made. These enhancements to the medical cannabis program in New York State include:
- Expanded qualifying medical conditions
- Streamline processing for registrations, renewals, etc
- Dosing recommendation dates has been eliminated
- Patients can now designate up to 5 caregivers per registration
- Patient registration state fees waived
Qualifying Health Conditions for Medical Marijuana in New York
Eligible health conditions for medical marijuana certification in New York:
- Alternative to Opioid Use
- Alzheimer’s
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Autism
- Cancer
- Dystonia
- Epilepsy
- HIV infection or AIDS
- Huntington’s Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Neuropathy
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
- Spinal Cord Injury With Spasticity
- Substance Use Disorder
- Or any other condition, at the discretion of your health care provider
Tips for Medical Marijuana Patients in New York
The cost of obtaining your medical marijuana certification from the online Telehealth service HelloMD is $129 USD. The fee includes an assessment by a HelloMD licensed practitioner. The process will typically take between 15-30 minutes.
Once you have received your certification, you will need to register with the New York Medical Cannabis Program to obtain your card. Your medical marijuana card allows you to enter and purchase cannabis at legal dispensaries, through a storefront location, or online.
Patients have access to several different product types, everything from whole flower to gummies and topicals. It’s also essential for patients to know medical cannabis can’t be transported outside of the state.
Both the HelloMD practitioners and the customer service team are here to help guide you through every step of the process.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card with HelloMD in New York
Getting your medical marijuana card online with HelloMD is discreet, easy and can be done from the comfort of your home.
Follow these 3 steps with the online Telehealth service HelloMD:
- Register with HelloMD online by providing your basic details, along with the assessment fee.
- Speak virtually over live video with a state-approved licensed practitioner, using HelloMD Telehealth services.
- Register with the New York Medical Cannabis Program to obtain your medical marijuana card.
Virtual visits with health care providers are the new norm. Telehealth services allow for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease and injuries, research and evaluation.
Using cannabis as an alternative to traditional medications is a legal option for New Yorkers interested in its potential health benefits. Ongoing legislation by the state will go a long way to help normalize cannabis consumption in society, reducing lingering stigma and eliminating barriers for citizens. Try HelloMD Telehealth services today.
Get Your Medical Document & Purchase Medical Cannabis
It’s easy to get your medical document with the online Telehealth service HelloMD. Register, pay, and receive an online medical consultation with a licensed practitioner and start purchasing medical cannabis today.
