As an alternative to opioid use, Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed legislation that adds acute pain management to the list of conditions for which medical marijuana can be recommended to patients. Previously approved existing conditions on the list for medical marijuana use include cancer, HIV/AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathy, chronic pain, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Huntington’s disease. Patients must also have an associated or complicating condition.
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) is convening statewide listening sessions for the public to discuss regulated marijuana use. This effort stems from DOH’s recent report on regulated use. GNYHA will monitor these sessions and analyze any potential impact of regulated use on hospitals.