Discover the Benefits of Medical Marijuana in NY

LeafyDOC makes it easier than ever to sign up for New York medical marijuana treatments with the state health department. Medical marijuana has been legal in New York since the Compassionate Care Act was passed in 2014. The latest cannabis laws passed expanded the qualifying conditions and made new allowances for possession and caregivers.

In 2021, Gov. Cuomo signed the bill to legalize recreational marijuana, making New York the 16th state to end cannabis prohibition. Dispensaries selling recreational and medical marijuana products have opened for business this year with great success.

Whether you are a licensed cardholder, curious about the medical marijuana card process, a recreational user, or want to home-grow your marijuana, New York offers a pathway toward MMJ.

How to Get Your New York Medical Marijuana Card

A medical marijuana patient in New York must be 18 or older to visit a medical marijuana dispensary. Only those with a valid state-issued driver’s license, Government ID can apply for a patient id number and a permit for the medical marijuana program. 

A New York resident must also have medical history showing a medical condition diagnosis that allows medical marijuana doctors to recommend them as a patient that can legally obtain medical marijuana.

There are a few steps for qualifying patients to get a medical marijuana card in New York with the help of Leafy DOC. First, you’ll select your state to receive the most accurate and up-to-date information about the New York medical marijuana card process.

Next, you’ll schedule your evaluation from the comfort and convenience of your home. Submit an intake form with personal details and a summary of your medical records; then, we’ll help you book an on-demand telehealth appointment or schedule a convenient time for later. An online recommendation from cannabis doctors with Leafy DOC starts at a competitive price for new patients and renewals in New York. If you are not approved, there is a money-back guarantee.

Connect with a licensed medical marijuana doctor in minutes and easily chat with your provider on a smartphone, computer, or tablet via phone call or video. Our licensed physicians will evaluate your qualifying condition, address your questions and concerns, and provide the physician certification form if approved. 

Log in to the New York Department of Health website at https://my.ny.gov/ and register as a patient using your medical marijuana certification from Leafy DOC and the required documents. After the state approves your registration, they will email you a downloadable patient I.D. card you can print. Once you have the MMJ card, you can visit New York dispensaries and purchase medical cannabis products.

New York MMJ Qualifying Conditions

Over fifty peer-reviewed medical studies have been conducted on the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis and its many cannabinoids and terpenes. The consensus that emerged from these studies is that cannabis can provide medical benefits for many different conditions.

While most of these studies have focused on the help of the specific cannabinoid CBD, other major and minor cannabinoids, in conjunction with terpenes, show significant promise in treating both physical and mental ailments.

You’ll need a physician certification form less than thirty days old. The medical professional must submit the recommendation for a qualifying medical condition on the qualifying patient’s behalf. You’ll also need a legible copy of the qualifying patient’s government-issued photo identification card; and a digital photo in which the applicant’s face can be seen without filters, hats, sunglasses, etc. Patient and caregiver medical cards are valid for one year. Leafy DOC can also help with the annual renewal process. 

Medical cannabis patients with the following qualifying conditions can apply for the New York medical marijuana program:

• Acute pain management
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis 
• Cancer
• Chronic pain
• Epilepsy
• HIV/AIDS
• Huntington’s Disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neuropathies
• Opioid substitution
• Spinal Cord Injury
•  In a physician’s professional judgment, any other chronic medical condition that may be alleviated by medical marijuana treatment can be included, especially when prescription medications have not been working.

Benefits of Getting a Medical Marijuana Card

A few of the benefits of seeing a medical marijuana doctor to get your MMJ card include the following:

• Marijuana dispensaries in certain states offer discounts to patients on their renewal anniversary.
•  Medical marijuana patients often have expanded and higher-quality menu options without waiting in line at the recreational dispensary. 
•  There is no sales tax for MMJ in certain states, such as California, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
•  Many medical marijuana states allow delivery services with a medical marijuana card.

It is recommended to renew around a month before the expiration date to have time to complete the renewal appointment and application. New York medical marijuana cards expire one year after the certification date on the physician’s recommendation. New cannabis ID cards are issued upon recertification approval for a NY medical marijuana card or a temporary medical marijuana card for out-of-state patients. There is no longer a renewal fee.

The Essential Changes to New York MMJ Laws

Below, we’ve included the primary changes to medical marijuana in NY, per the updated cannabis laws:

• Smoking whole flowers from the cannabis plant are now acceptable. 
• Expanding limits to a 60-day supply for medical marijuana card holders.
• Medical practitioners can certify patients diagnosed with conditions outside the legislatively predetermined list.
• Up to five designated caregivers can store and administer medical cannabis for a patient. 
• State fees for medical marijuana use paid by patients and caregivers have been removed.
• The state has approved the opening of up to four additional medical dispensaries. 
• Personal possession outside of the home of up to three ounces of cannabis or 24 grams of concentrates is now legal.
• Home Growing of three mature and three immature plants for adults over 21. There is a limit of six mature and six immature plants per household.
• Criminal Justice and Record Expungement provisions have been placed into motion. 
• Under the new law, the smell of marijuana is no longer probable cause for a search by law enforcement.
•  Unlawful discrimination against cannabis use in the workplace will be prohibited, and safety protections will be implemented for the registered organization.
• New provisions in the law permit the licensing of delivery services and social consumption facilities.

Becoming a New York Primary Caregiver

A primary caregiver is an adult over 21 who can legally purchase, transport, educate, and administer medical cannabis to medical marijuana patients with a valid medical card. At least thirty-seven states have legalized medical marijuana programs, allowing caregivers to assist qualified patients. In these locations, state legislation provides legal protection for the patient and the caregiver from criminal penalties.

In NY, the caregiver and patient must be able to provide proof of residency with a valid driver’s license or I.D. card. The caregiver must be added to the patient’s medical cannabis application as the primary caregiver to purchase and possess medical marijuana for the patient. The fee for caregivers as a form of cannabis management has been waived. Each MMJ patient can have up to five designated caregivers, and each can assist four patients simultaneously with medical treatment.

Where to Purchase Medical Cannabis in New York

Once registered for the New York State Medical Cannabis program and received your I.D. card, you may wonder what’s next. There are a few ways to obtain legal medical marijuana in NY as a qualified patient. After you’ve received your medical marijuana cards, you can purchase medicinal cannabis at licensed dispensaries. 

Medical and adult-use cannabis is now legal in New York. Any adult 21 and older can legally purchase medical marijuana or visit a licensed recreational dispensary. Cannabis remains punishable by the federal government; however, they tend to honor local laws unless on government property or suspected of selling/trafficking. 

The New York Department of Health regulates the state’s medical marijuana program. They’re responsible for reviewing, approving, and monitoring the New York medical marijuana license process. MMJ patients can purchase and possess the equivalent of 2.5 ounces every fourteen days. 

There are various options offered at New York’s licensed dispensaries; let’s explore the most popular types of marijuana-infused products.

New York Medical Marijuana Dispensaries offer:

• Dried flower
•  Pre-rolls
•  Edibles
•  Topical creams, gels, rubs, balms
•  Tinctures
•  Vape cartridges

The Takeaway on New York MMJ

Leafy DOC offers a straightforward process for requesting and renewing your MMJ card, knowledgeable customer support, and an excellent experience. The price is competitive without sacrificing quality, with the option to meet with a health coach even after obtaining a medical card.

Serving over 30,000 patients and with hundreds of TrustPilot reviews, Leafy DOC is the place to visit to get a New York medical card or renewal fast and securely.