Do You Live With One of New York’s Qualifying Conditions?

In 2014, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a bill establishing New York’s medical cannabis program. It was a historic moment, protecting millions of citizens’ rights to medical cannabis. But who exactly can access the New York medical marijuana system? In this post, we’ll answer that question with help from some of our friends at a medical cannabis dispensary in Albany New York.

What Are Qualifying Conditions? We Ask Our Friends at a Medical Cannabis Dispensary Albany New York

Essentially, qualifying conditions are specific medical problems. New York has granted medical cannabis access to patients that suffer from these conditions. In other words, if you have a qualifying medical condition, you can apply for medical marijuana.

Currently, New York recognizes more than a dozen qualifying conditions. Some of them include:

• Anxiety － patients suffering from anxiety disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may access medical cannabis.
• Cachexia (wasting syndrome) － New York recognizes this symptom when it accompanies several different conditions including cancer and HIV/AIDS.
• Chronic or severe pain － patients who suffer from recurring pain that also negatively affects their overall quality of life may apply for medical cannabis.
• Epilepsy － medical cannabis may be able to help patients manage their seizures. In fact, the FDA has even approved a CBD-based pharmaceutical drug to treat specific, severe forms of epilepsy.
• Inflammation － New York state specifically recognizes Inflammatory Bowel Disease. However, patients with other swelling-related issues like arthritis or Crohn’s disease may also apply.
• Nerve damage － specifically, New York grants medical cannabis access to patients suffering from conditions like Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Neuropathy, Huntington’s Disease, and spinal cord injuries.
• Substance use disorder － New York recognizes cannabis’s possible ability to reduce opioid dependency, as supported by data from human research.

What Should I Do if I Have a Qualifying Medical Condition?

If you suffer from a qualifying condition and want to try medical cannabis, you’ll need to find a practitioner. New York keeps a database of medical cannabis practitioners for easy patient access. You can scan this database for a practitioner near your home.

First, contact a practitioner and set an appointment. Then, speak with a doctor there about your condition. If the doctor believes you may benefit from medical cannabis, they’ll give you a written confirmation. This is essentially a doctor’s note to the state recommending medical marijuana.

Once you receive your doctor’s note, you can apply to become a medical patient in New York.

Visit This Medical Cannabis Dispensary in Albany New York if You Suffer From a Qualifying Medical Condition

Ok, so you successfully applied for the state’s medical marijuana program. You’ve even received your card in the mail. Now you’re looking for a place to buy your medicine.

If you’re in the Albany area, you’re in luck. Stop by our friends at this medical cannabis dispensary in Albany New York. Their friendly staff can help you pick the perfect cannabis product for your qualifying condition. Choose from concentrates, edibles, or good old-fashioned flower. Don’t keep suffering. Take control of your health! Want to learn more? Check out our posts on CBD and THC.