New York Now Has an Emergency Weed Program for Qualifying Patients

Gov. Cuomo signed two bills that establish an emergency medical weed program for patients who qualify.

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Complex Original

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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, the same guy who approved one of the "most restrictive medical marijuana measures in the country," just made an unexpected move by signing two bills that will reportedly speed up the medical marijuana waiting time for qualifying patients. As with Cuomo’s previously approved Compassionate Care Act (2014), this latest measure only covers "non-smokable" weed, according to Vice. The full Care Act doesn’t kick in for another two months.

Described by the New York Times as an "emergency medical marijuana program," Cuomo’s latest signage kick-starts a separate program meant to enable an "expedited pathway" for those sick enough that a lack of medical marijuana would "pose a serious risk" to their well-being. In a statement, Cuomo expressed that he "deeply sympathized with New Yorkers suffering from serious illness" and was appreciative of the fact that "medical marijuana may alleviate their chronic pain and debilitating symptoms."

Meanwhile, in a growing number of states, someone reads this news while thoroughly enjoying some legal recreational weed and mumbling something to the effect of "That's cute, New York."

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