(Image source from: New York’s ‘medical marijuana program’ will commence on Thursday})

The state officials of New York city is set to officially launch ‘medical marijuana program’ on January 7. It is expected that, at least one pot dispensary will be ready in the city.

James Plastiras, Health Department spokesman, said in an email that,  “New York State's Medical Marijuana Program is scheduled to be launched on January 7, 2016, just 18 months after Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Compassionate Care Act.”

“More information and details on the program will be released shortly,” he added.

Five companies are certified to cultivate  marijuana in the New York city. Columbia Care, one among five companies announced on Monday that, they are scheduled to open its Union Square dispensary on Thursday. Other  dispensaries will be opened  after some time in the month  somewhere in the Bronx, Murray Hill and Queens areas.

According to the officials, earlier, they have announced that the medical marijuana program will be introduced in January, but there was no information about the opening date and the number of licensed doctors who will prescribe the drug.

According to the law, prescription must be practiced by the licensed state-approved doctor. Also, it needs to be registered with the Health Department. Later, it will get a registry identification card, only then, the patient will be allowed to purchase the drug.

Julie Netherland of Drug Policy Alliance,  said that, “We are looking forward to seeing, the additional information and details about the program. Patients in New York have been waiting for a long time for the day, when they can legally purchase medical marijuana. We hope the program roll out goes smoothly and that patients will finally have some relief from their suffering.”

Nandini