What We Support
The NYMCIA played a key role in securing the passage of New York’s Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA), which not only legalized cannabis for adult-use in the state but also enacted much-needed improvements to the existing medical program and paved the way for social equity and reducing the harms of prohibition.
Year over year NYMCIA works with the Office of Cannabis Management, the Cannabis Control Board, and elected officials to enact meaningful legislative and regulatory changes to improve New York’s cannabis programs for patients and consumers. Underpinning all of these efforts is the eradication of the illicit market – which NYMCIA is routinely pushing back against. For more information about the harm and dangers of the illicit market, please read NY Illicit Cannabis Market Design report.
Priorities include:
2024 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
SUPPORT: Allow For Out-Of-State Reciprocity: (s. 1023, Cooney; a.8321, Paulin)
Recognizing access to out-of-state medical patients that find themselves in NY will only increase the accessibility of the medical program for those who need it. States like Nevada, Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri already allow reciprocity with other states’ medical cannabis programs. As NY is one of the most visited states in the country and has thousands of commuters entering the state for work each day, this bill would significantly improve the accessibility of the medical cannabis program.
SUPPORT: Authorize Insurance Coverage of Medical Cannabis: (s.2568, Cooney; a.4713, Peoples-Stokes)
For thousands of patients, medical cannabis is safer and more effective than other drugs, especially opioids, but cost remains the primary barrier to patient access in the medical cannabis program. Access to medical cannabis should not be limited to those who can pay out of pocket. This bill adds medical cannabis to four publicly funded health programs.
SUPPORT: Eliminate The 7% Excise Tax on Medical Cannabis: (s. 5365, Cooney; a.7014, Peoples-Stokes)
Medical cannabis in NY is some of the most expensive and inaccessible in the country. With the fast growing, untaxed unregulated/illicit market and the adult-use market rolling, it's more important than ever to finally bring down the price of this medical alternative to addictive opioids and unregulated illicit cannabis.
SUPPORT: Pharmacist-Certified Patient Permission: (s. 6909, Skoufis; a.7795, McDonald)
Allow pharmacists who are employed by a Registered Organization to issue written certificates for cannabis products to patients. This will streamline the process to become a certified medical cannabis patient by allowing walk-ins to medical dispensaries to consult with the pharmacist on site to receive a recommendation the same day.
2024 REGULATORY AGENDA
Dispensary Expansion
Today there are just 40 medical cannabis dispensaries across New York. The MRTA authorized each medical cannabis operator to double the number of permitted to better address the medical cannabis dessert. NYMCIA will continue to work with the Office of Cannabis Management to fully implement this expansion.
Additional Registration Of Medical Operators
The MRTA mandates the Cannabis Control Board issue additional registrations to medical operators. NYMCIA fully supports this, as it will increase access and affordability to patients.
Transitioning Existing Medical Operators Into The Adult-Use Market
The MRTA and adult-use cannabis regulations outline a clear process for medical operators to participate in the adult-use market – which will provide critical protections and stability to the fragile medical program.