Medical Marijuana Bill to Assist Seriously Ill Patients Clears Assembly Health Committee

January 12, 2010

Albany – Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess) announced the Assembly Health Committee passed legislation (A.9016) allowing the use of marijuana to treat serious, life-threatening illnesses under a doctor’s supervision. The bill is similar to a measure passed by the Assembly in 2007 and one passed in New Jersey yesterday. The legislation, which received bi-partisan support, now goes to the Assembly Codes Committee.

“There are many New Yorkers with life-threatening illnesses who would benefit from the use of medical marijuana,” Assemblymember Cahill said. “This carefully crafted legislation reflects our compassion for those who need to alleviate chronic pain and suffering. Medical studies show the drug can offer relief to HIV/AIDS, cancer patients and others suffering from serious medical conditions. Its can also be effective treatment for people who don’t respond well to other medications.”

This legislation would:

• allow a certified patient or designated caregiver with a valid registry ID card to possess 2.5 ounces of marijuana;
• authorize the state Department of Health to issue ID cards to certified patients and designated caregivers;
• allow doctors to certify the use of marijuana for intervals of up to one year for patients suffering from life-threatening conditions – only if the doctor determines it would be more effective than other drugs; and bar patients from using marijuana in public places.

While the active ingredient in marijuana, THC, has been approved for medical use by the Federal Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Agency since 1986 in synthetic pill form, consuming the drug in its natural form – which physicians say is more effective – remains illegal. Assemblymember Cahill stressed that legalizing the medical use of effective medicine does not undermine the message that non-medical use of illegal drugs is wrong.

“Many controlled substances including morphine, valium and steroids, are legal for medical use that are otherwise illegal,” Assemblymember. Cahill noted. “Physicians prescribe powerful opiates to relieve pain, they should be able to prescribe marijuana. I urge my colleagues to support this important measure.”

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