GMHC Applauds the NYS Assembly for Passing Medical Marijuana Bill

New York, NY--Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) applauds the New York State Assembly for passing A.6357 (Gottfried)/ S.4406 (Savino). This legislation will allow physicians to discuss and prescribe limited access to medical marijuana for patients with severe conditions, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, and other debilitating or life-threatening illnesses.

Janet Weinberg, Chief Operating Officer of GMHC commented: "As a survivor of breast cancer, my challenges this year taught me first-hand the issues that GMHC's clients go through. I lived through immune suppression, neuropathy, skin issues, medication reactions and deep sadness about my health. Each one of these issues parallels the lives of someone living with HIV. Therefore I am relieved that medical marijuana could be a possible treatment for me and so many others."

Research indicates that medical marijuana provides much-needed therapeutic and palliative relief for many of the side effects caused by anti-retroviral medications. For example, the National Institute of Medicine found that marijuana can be more effective than currently available medications for treating symptoms like nausea, loss of appetite, physical pain, and anxiety. Medical marijuana is a proven and effective alternative for New Yorkers when other medications and treatments have failed.

This bill not only effectively regulates and requires monitoring of the sale and distribution of medical marijuana to those with severe medical conditions, but would also generate new revenue. Individual possession would not exceed 2.5 ounces, and patients' certifications would be electronically tracked and include picture identification, as well as their physician's contact information. Registered distributors, such as pharmacies or hospitals, would be subject to close monitoring, report to the Department of Health, document the quality and safety of each unit, and pay taxes on marijuana sales. Fifty percent of this tax revenue would be paid to the county in which the marijuana was distributed. Additionally, the legislation protects registered patients from discrimination in housing, employment, healthcare, and education based on the use of medical marijuana.

Legislation making medical marijuana available to patients with severe conditions enjoys widespread public support. In a 2010 poll conducted by Quinnipiac University, 71% of New Yorkers supported the legal use of medical marijuana by patients with a physician's prescription. This support was common across all political, racial, and regional groups: 55% of Republicans and 63% of New Yorkers aged 65 or older supported controlled and regulated access to medical marijuana. Given this widespread public support, we salute legislators for listening to their constituents and standing in favor of A.6357/ S.4406.

"From Delaware to Maine, almost every state allows medical use of marijuana," said Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, Committee Chair and sponsor of the bill, noting that 18 states and the District of Columbia currently have medical marijuana laws. "If the patient and physician agree that a severe debilitating or life-threatening condition should be treated with medical marijuana, the government should not stand in the way. This is sensible, strict, and humane legislation."

"We thank Assembly Member Gottfried and Senator Diane Savino for their leadership on this bill," added Weinberg. "For many New Yorkers, particularly those living with HIV, this legislation will dramatically ease pain and suffering."