Governor Andrew Cuomo Signs Bill on Veterans Day to Allow Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder access to Medical Marijuana in New York

Over the weekend on Veterans Day, Governor Cuomo signed the bill that will finally allow patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to access medical marijuana in New York.

The bill (A.7006/S.5629) adds post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying condition for New York’s medical marijuana program. Advocates and patients across the state have been keeping the pressure on our lawmakers to add PTSD as a qualifying condition since the Governor signed the Compassionate Care Act into law in July of 2014.

“After years of hard work, patients have finally won access for veterans and others suffering from PTSD to receive the benefits of medical marijuana,” said Chris Alexander , New York Policy Coordinator for the Drug Policy Alliance. “This victory for PTSD patients is a great step forward and will impact 1,000’s who are suffering. But the New York medical marijuana program remains one of the most restrictive in the country and we will continue to push for increased patient access, affordability, and an end to marijuana arrests in this state.”