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In a decision announced this afternoon, New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker filed emergency regulations adding any condition for which an opioid could be prescribed as condition of medical marijuana. option for thousands of patients with pain.
The new rule opens up medical cannabis as an option for thousands of pain patients, who might otherwise need to take opioid medications. Plans for the new rule were announced last month, but news of today means the condition qualifies immediately for medical marijuana
"Effective immediately," registered practitioners can certify patients to use medical marijuana instead of opioids, provided that the precise underlying condition for which an opioid would otherwise be prescribed is indicated on the patient's certification. This allows patients with severe pain who do not meet the definition of chronic pain to use medical marijuana instead of opioids.
The new rules also add the disorder of use of opioids as a condition of eligibility for medical cannabis. This will allow patients who have opioid use disorder and who are enrolled in a certified treatment program to use marijuana for medical purposes as an opioid substitute. Leafly has reported on a number of these treatments in previous articles here and here.
"Medical marijuana has been shown to be an effective treatment for pain that can also reduce the risk of opioid addiction," Zucker said. The addition of opioid replacement to medical marijuana provides providers with another treatment option, which is a crucial step in the fight against the deadly epidemic of opioids in the world. ;State. "
In the state of New York, opioid overdose deaths increase 180 percent from 2010 (more than 1,000 deaths) to 2016 (more than 3,000 deaths).
The New Rules come into force immediately.The permanent settlement will be published in the register of the State of New York on August 1, 2018 and will be the subject of a public comment period of 60 days.
Also, here next week, certified patients and designated caregivers will be able to print temporary registry identity cards.This will allow them to purchase medical marijuana products. more quickly after enrolling in the program.Patients can use the temporary register identity card in conjunction with a government issued photo ID to purchase medical marijuana products from of the distribution establishment from a registered organization. Prior to this enhancement to the Marijuana Medical Data Management System, patients and their caregivers could receive 7 to 10 days after their registration was approved.
As of July 10, 2018, 62,256 patients and 1,735 registered practitioners participating in the New York State Medical Marijuana Program.
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