New York Harm Reduction Educators

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"Six months into New York’s medical marijuana program, fewer than 100 sick people in Rochester and surrounding communities have been certified to receive the drug."

An overly restrictive program is not giving doctors and patients the flexibility they need to treat conditions. Only one dispensary in all of Rochester with only one product available 6 months into the program is unacceptable. No wonder patients are dissapointed.

http://13wham.com/news/top-stories/new-numbers-show-few-qualify-for-medical-marijuana-one-patient-disappointed

New numbers show few qualify for medical marijuana: One patient “disappointed”

13wham.com

Six months into New York’s medical marijuana program, fewer than 100 sick people in Rochester and surrounding communities have been certified to receive the drug.One of them is Jack Jones, who says the process is cumbersome, expensive and the state could a

Jul 26th 2:57pm • 15 Comments

"However, the state of New York may not see the benefits of reduced painkiller use. The state’s medical-marijuana law is one of the most restrictive in the country and does not allow recommendations for marijuana to treat chronic pain"

Great observation from the Long Island Exchange. Patients have waited too long. New Yorkers deserve an alternative to opiates when managing chronic pain. How long will the decision makers wait before taking action?

Study Links Medical Marijuana to Decreased Use of Painkillers

newsli.com

NEW YORK - A new study suggests that allowing the use of medical marijuana cuts down on prescription drug use. The study, published in the journal Health

Jul 18th 1:27pm • 9 Comments

“If [the Department of Health is] going to become the custodian of a list [of registered physicians] and they're not going to allow it to be published then they have to figure out a way for patients who inquire and are eligible to have access to a referral.”

There are 2 simple ways the DOH can do this: they can make referrals for eligible patients themselves; or they can allow other healthcare providers like nurse practitioners to certify patients for med. marijuana.

Medical marijuana: Remove the obstacles (editorial)

silive.com

We support efforts to ease the entirely unnecessary burden Island patients face when it comes to obtaining medical marijuana.

Jul 12th 12:31pm • 7 Comments

"In states that legalized medical uses of marijuana, painkiller prescriptions dropped — on average, the study found, by about 1,800 daily doses filled each year per doctor."

Not blowing smoke: Research finds medical marijuana lowers prescription drug use

sciencedaily.com

Medical marijuana is having a positive impact on the bottom line of Medicare's prescription drug benefit program in states that have legalized its use for medicinal purposes, according to new research.The savings, due to lower prescription drug use, were estimated to be $165.2 million in 2013, a yea...

Jul 7th 9:55am • 2 Comments