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. There is no additional state application fee.

Schedule an appointment with a licensed healthcare provider through FadeMD. Complete a 10-15 minute evaluation and get approved for medical cannabis use.

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.

To become a certified caregiver in New York for a medical cannabis patient, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old (unless special permission is obtained from the NYSDOH).
• Be a New York resident with a valid driver’s license or state identification card.
• Not be the patient’s certifying physician.

A caregiver must be listed on the patient’s application and can assist up to five patients. After the patient’s application is approved, caregivers must register with the DOH to receive a registry ID card, allowing them to obtain medical marijuana for the patient.

Caregivers must pay a $50 application fee unless a financial hardship waiver is granted. Currently, application fees are waived under the Compassionate Care Act. The caregiver’s registry ID card expires when the patient’s certification expires and can be renewed with the patient’s renewal.

Caregivers can receive payment from the patient only for the cost of the medical marijuana product and reasonable transportation costs. They must comply with regulations, including:

• Obtaining a registry ID card for each certified patient.
• Providing care to no more than five patients.
• Not possessing more medical cannabis than allowed for each patient.
• Only possessing forms of medical marijuana recommended for the patient.
• Not sharing, selling, or trading medical cannabis.
• Abiding by reporting requirements, including returning ID cards for patients who no longer qualify.

To renew your New York medical marijuana card through FadeMD, you’ll need to schedule a renewal appointment with one of our physicians. They can confirm that you still need medical cannabis for your qualifying condition and help you with the renewal process. We will remind you when it’s almost time for your renewal appointment, or you can reach out to our Customer Service Department so we can assist you and apply a renewal discount for you.

A medical marijuana card in New York is valid for 12 months.

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 food service establishments
•      Cigar bars
•      Federal property
•      Places where smoking is prohibited under the Clean Indoor Air Act

New Yorkers 21 years of age and older can grow up to 6 cannabis plants in their home for personaluse (3 mature plants and 3 immature plants) and a maximum of twelve plants per household (6mature plants and 6 immature plants). P

The Justice Department proposed a new rule to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, which would ease federal restrictions on cannabis if approved. This reclassification would not legalize or decriminalize marijuana nationwide but would place it on the same regulatory level as ketamine and anabolic steroids. Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." The proposed change would recognize marijuana as having "a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence."

The proposal initiates a months-long comment and administrative period before any changes take effect. This follows President Biden's 2022 request for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Justice Department to review marijuana's classification. HHS found credible scientific evidence supporting marijuana's medical use. The notice of proposed rulemaking reflects the attorney general's agreement with HHS's recommendation. President Biden hailed the move as "monumental," emphasizing marijuana policy as a priority of his administration, which has also worked to pardon those convicted of simple possession.