NYS Looks To Expedite Medical Marijuana Availability For Epilepsy Patients
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York has submitted a request to the federal government for permission to bring in out-of-state marijuana so children and young adults with epilepsy can get medication faster.
In letters to the Justice Department, acting Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said there is objective evidence that the active ingredient in marijuana, called cannabidiol, could help patients who are suffering and not responding to conventional treatments.
Zucker said the state's medical marijuana program, with tightly regulated cultivation and manufacture, isn't scheduled to start before 2016.
Justice Department spokeswoman Emily Pierce said she was unaware of similar waiver approvals, but that the department was studying the request.
In July, New York became the 23rd state to allow medical marijuana use for patients with diseases, including AIDS, cancer and epilepsy.
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