New York doctors are signing up to recommend medical marijuana more quickly than some had anticipated. As of Jan. 28, 306 physicians had registered with the state, and they had helped 465 patients get certified for the program.
But cannabis medicine remains out of reach for many who are eligible, including those with epilepsy, cancer and the handful of other serious conditions approved for treatment.
There are also some handy fringe benefits to keeping your card current, like the tax-exempt status of medical marijuana. Under Prop 64, recreational cannabis retailers will be taxed by the state, and that’s before considering local city or county taxes that could drive prices up further. Recreational consumers are poised to pay more than Medical Marijuana patients, with the possibility of even higher taxes down the line.