Medical marijuana will soon be easier to get in New York.
The state has doubled the number authorized distributors from 5 to 10 and the newly approved companies plans to dispense their products in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.
“The New York State Department of Health is committed to growing the state’s Medical Marijuana Program responsibly,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. “The addition of these registered organizations will make it easier for patients across the state to obtain medical marijuana.”
One company hopes to work with a major medical facility in Midtown, but hasn’t finalized a deal.
The number of patients eligible to receive the drug has increased by more than 70 percent since March.
There are 25,736 certified patients as of today, up from 10,744 since March and 1,139 registered practitioners can prescribe the drug.
That’s largely because chronic pain was added as a condition on March 21, expanding the potential patient base.
It also helps that the state recently allowed home delivery and added nurse practitioners and physician assistants to those who can certify patients.
Zucker said that increased competition and access will make the prescriptions cheaper, while increasing the variety of products containing the drug.
One of the new companies, Fiorello Pharmaceuticals, hopes to dispense in Midtown Manhattan, on Long Island and upstate.
All of its dispensaries will be open in early 2018, CEO Eric Sirota told The Post.
Sirota said Fiorello will work with a major hospital center and academic institution, where customers can pick up their drugs at the same place they are prescribed.
“That’s why we’re locating in facilities in medical buildings, where it’s welcoming, clinically-oriented and people feel welcome.”
Another new provider, Citiva, will dispense in Brooklyn and Staten Island, as well as upstate.
Terradiol and PalliaTech NY will sell the drug in Queens.
Valley Agriceuticals will sell in Brooklyn.
Under the law, each company can operate up to four product dispensaries, which would bring the statewide total to 40 if all 10 companies fully build out facilities.
The New York metro currently has seven dispensaries stretching from Suffolk County to New York City and north to Westchester.
credit:420intel.com