Apply for a New York Medical Marijuana Card

About Medical Marijuana New York

The Big Apple and the rest of the Empire State took its first bite of medical cannabis in 2014 when Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation into law. Ever since Gov. Cuomo has gone above and beyond attempting to legalize cannabis recreationally, even having a Pot Summit in 2019 with other East Coast governors.

In 2018, Gov. Cuomo added PTSD to the list of conditions, and in 2018, allowed medical cannabis to be used for opioid use disorder. As far as Gov. Cuomo is concerned, recreational cannabis would answer a lot of woes along with benefiting the physical wellbeing of thousands of citizens who suffer from a list of the state’s qualifying conditions. The second benefit recreational cannabis would bring in is up to 1.3 billion dollars in tax revenue, a number Cuomo predicted for 2019 to no avail. 

On May 3, 2019, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) released guidelines for laboratory testing on packaged medical cannabis products.  The products to be tested include capsules, pills, oral sprays, powders, tinctures, topical lotions, vape cartridges, cannabis flower, and more.  These products are tested for cannabinoid potency, product stability, bacteria, mycotoxins, and containments through labs accredited through New York.  This is big news because testing confirms the safety of medical cannabis products for patients.

In September of 2020, New York released guidance for medical cannabis program research that is being done in the state, which now can occur with Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.  This applied to both privately funded and federally funded cannabis research.

In March of 2021, Gov. Cuomo signed the Marijuana Taxation and Regulation Act into law, though recreational sales are at least a year out.  The law allows people over the age of 21 to possess, obtain, purchase or transport up to three ounces of cannabis.  It will apply a 13% tax on retail sales that won’t take effect until April 1, 2023.

Recreational marijuana sales are anticipated to begin in 2023, but no dates have been formally set. 

New York will also begin regulating hemp-based products, requiring these products to adhere to particular standards including, labeling, testing, and manufacturing rules

Qualifying Conditions

On January 24, 2022, The medical cannabis program of New York dropped the requirements that patients must have particular conditions to get medical cards. Physicians are now able to prescribe medical cannabis for any condition if they feel the patient may benefit from its use. Along with a qualifying condition, a patient must prove they are a New York resident with a valid driver’s license or state identification card. The state has permanently waived the medical cannabis card application fee. Before 2020, it used to be $50 every year. After approval by the state, the patient will receive a temporary registration card while the state prepares and sends them a medical cannabis state card.

Becoming a Medical Marijuana Patient in NY

To become a medical marijuana patient in New York, there are three basic steps. First, you will book an appointment with a doctor from NY who will review your ailment(s) and medical condition(s). Second, once you are evaluated and approved, you will receive a medical cannabis recommendation from our licensed NY marijuana doctor and be registered with the NY DOH. The third and final step is once you receive your medical cannabis recommendation, you can request your NY medical marijuana card online from the New York DOH. It will arrive in a week and you can then begin to purchase medical marijuana from dispensaries in NY.

Registering a Caregiver in New York

A caregiver must also prove they are a resident of New York with a valid driver’s license or state identification card in order to be certified. Additionally, the caregiver must be listed on the patient’s application in order to be approved. Like the patient, a caregiver can possess a certain amount of medical cannabis at a time on behalf of the patient, who they have pledged to the state to assist. 

When a certified patient applies for their ID card from the Office of Cannabis Management, he or she may designate up to five caregivers that will assist the patient in obtaining and administering medical marijuana. To become a caregiver, the individual:

• Must be at least 21 years old, unless special permission is obtained from the NYSDOH;
• Must be a resident of New York State and have a valid New York State issued driver’s license or a New York State identification card;
• Must be someone other than the patent’s certifying physician.

After the patient’s application is approved, each caregiver must register with the DOH to receive a registry ID card that the caregiver can then use to obtain medical marijuana on the patient’s behalf.  Caregivers can follow the same registration instructions that are available for patients, which may be found here: http://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/medical_marijuana/patients/

Like the patient, each caregiver must pay the $50 application fee unless he or she can demonstrate financial hardship which will waive that fee. As of September 2020, New York is waiving the application fees for the time being as part of the Compassionate Care Act.

Renewal of the Registry ID Card

The duration of the caregiver’s registry ID card is based on the duration of the patient’s certification. Accordingly, a caregiver’s registry card will expire at the same time as the patient’s card.  After the patient obtains a new certification from the physician and renews his or her registry card, the caregiver can apply for a renewal of his or her card.

Regulations permit a designated caregiver to obtain payment from the patient for the following two expenses only:

(i)    The actual amount charged by the dispensary for the approved medical marijuana product purchased for the patient; and

(ii)  Reasonable costs incurred in the transportation and delivery of medical marijuana products to the patient.

Each designated caregiver must also comply with the following requirements:

• Must obtain a registry ID card for each certified patient;
• Must provide care to no more than five certified patients;
• Must not possess at any one time a cumulative quantity of medical cannabis that exceeds the amount allowed for each certified patient;
• Must not possess any form of medical marijuana other than those forms recommended specifically for the use of certified patients;
• Must not knowingly share, sell, trade or otherwise deliver medical cannabis to anyone who is not a registered patient;
• Must abide by the same reporting requirements as described above for patients, including the obligation to return registry ID cards issued in connection with those patients who no longer have an eligible condition.

Possession/Use Limits and Cultivation

Patients and caregivers are qualified to possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis in various forms at home or in public. You may be able to purchase up to 60 days worth of medical cannabis instead of the previous 30 day purchase limit. You can smoke cannabis in the same places you are able to smoke cigarettes except:

•       While inside your car or in designated smoking public spaces of foodservice establishments
•       Cigar bars
•       Federal property
•       Places where smoking is prohibited under the Clean Indoor Air Act

Certified medical marijuana patients are unable to grow cannabis at home until the state issues regulations for it later this year.  People over 21 who are not medical card holders will be unable to grow cannabis until late 2023 at the latest.  When people can grow, they will be allowed a total of 6 cannabis plants including 3 immature plants and 3 mature plants.  They will also be able to have up to 5 pounds of cannabis in their home legally but will still only be able to have 3 ounces outside of their homes.

More Info About New York

New York is one of the largest U.S. states on the East Coast in terms of actual area as well as the number of residents who reside in the state. NY is in the northeastern region of the United States and its capital is Albany.

While New York is home to many medical marijuana products and dispensaries, there are also many tourist attractions in New York. Many tourists like to visit Times Square and Central Park. New York is the home of the Statue of Liberty, a key symbol of the United States’ beliefs in freedom, equality, democracy, and opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Places to Visit in NY After Enjoying Your Medicine

America’s Big Apple and the most densely populated city of New York is famous worldwide, called the greatest city in the world. The heart of Broadway, the most famous fashion district, several renowned art centers and museums, the famous philharmonic orchestra, top chef restaurants, A-lister nightclubs, and Central Park, New York City has an unparalleled culture and art history beginning with the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France on the waters within the five metropolis boroughs. And that is just New York City, not to mention the other thousands of square miles that travel up to five hours north. Bordering Canada, New York State is not only the host to the world’s most famous city, it even offers the option of another country along its northern border.

New York City

So much to say with such little space. To sum it up, spending a few days, or even weeks, in New York City is not enough time to take a bite out of the Big Apple, which is why locals live there and millions of visitors return year after year. Most start off their visit in the city at the Empire State Building, the most famous New York Skyscraper. After, a trip to Central Park anytime of the year becomes the memory of a lifetime. A ferry to the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island is also one of the most popular tourist travels, with locals still enjoying the trip across the Hudson River. Needless to say, taking in a Broadway show, standing in awe in Times Square, shopping on Fifth Avenue, or attending any annual events like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony make a trip to New York novel every time. Next time you are taking a trip to a dispensary in the state, stop at any of the below best places for an even better day.

Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario parks and beaches in northern New York State are some of the most awesome coastal views available in the Empire State. With Canada on the other side of Lake Ontario, traveling across the famed waterway brings many locals and visitors into another country. In the summer, millions make the region home, spending summers in lakeside cottages, or weeks at a quaint bed and breakfast. While water sports including fishing, boating, skiing, and swimming are enjoyed in the summer, winters on the lake offer excellent snow-capped mountains waiting to be skied on.

Buffalo

Architecture fans are often found in Buffalo, home to the famed engineer and designer Frank Llyod Wright’s Martin residence. Not to mention, Buffalo is the second-largest U.S. city, with New York City only hours away as the first. One of the city’s main points of view is of the water, with locals and visitors alike gathering at Canalside, the city’s waterfront fully revitalized to meet any patron's needs. Historic museums, theaters, and parks fill up the rest of the city. Cultural day trips are available to explore the metropolis, or for the total New York Cities experience, two-day multi-rail tours make it possible to take a bite out of the Big Apple and Buffalo.