In a move announced this afternoon, New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker filed emergency regulations adding any condition for which an opioid could be prescribed as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana.
The new rule opens up medical cannabis as an option for thousands of patients dealing with pain, who might otherwise need to take opioid medications. Plans for the new rule were announced last month, but today’s news means the condition qualifies for medical marijuana immediately.
“Effective immediately,” Zucker’s office announced, “registered practitioners may certify patients to use medical marijuana as a replacement for opioids, provided that the precise underlying condition for which an opioid would otherwise be prescribed is stated on the patient’s certification. This allows patients with severe pain that doesn’t meet the definition of chronic pain to use medical marijuana as a replacement for opioids.”