Relates to reciprocity agreements with other states for medical cannabis programs

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic3

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Jeremy Cooney says this is needed

Nearly every state in the nation has their own medical cannabis program. New York's program began in 2014 with the passing of the Compassionate Care Act. Since then, the medical cannabis program has undergone signif- icant changes especially with the recent state legalization of adult-use cannabis. As the program was transferred from the Department of Health to the Office of Cannabis Management several changes were made to improve the medical program including waiving the registration fee, allowing for whole flower products to be sold, and removing the list of qualifying conditions. Each of these steps helped improve and expand New York's medical cannabis program. This bill would allow certified medical cannabis patients from other states to access medical dispensaries provided they present sufficient documentation. States such as Nevada, Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri already allow for reciprocity with other states' medical cannabis programs. New York is one of the most visited states by domestic travel- ers in the country. Additionally, many out-of-state residents from states such as New Jersey and Connecticut commute to work in New York. Residents of other states should continue to have access to medical cannabis products while they are in New York. This bill also directs the cannabis control board to approve pre-rolls for the medical cannabis program. Pre-rolled cannabis products are the most affordable, and often most effective, form of medical cannabis for many patients. Compared to ground metered flower that is used in dry herb vaporizers, smokeable pre-rolled products can be half the price for patients. As the monthly cost of medical cannabis is prohibitively expensive ($400/month on average), reducing the cost for patients in need is of paramount importance to ensuring access to the.medical canna- bis program. Lastly, many medical patients have dexterity challenges that prevent them from being able to grind up and roll their own smokea- ble products.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.