NY Approves Chronic Pain as a Qualifying Condition for Medical Marijuana
On December 1, 2016, the New York State Department of Health decided to include chronic pain on a list of ailments qualifying patients for medicinal marijuana use. According to the State?s press release, if a patient has met qualifications specifying the conditions of such chronic pain, they can seek the help of a registered doctor to obtain a certification for purchasing medical marijuana.
Said Health Commissioner Howard A. Zucker, “After conducting a thorough review of the scientific literature, it became clear that there may be certain benefits in the use of medical marijuana by patients suffering from chronic pain. Medical marijuana is already helping thousands of patients across New York State, and adding chronic pain as a qualifying condition will help more patients and further strengthen the program.”
If you or your loved one are experiencing chronic pain, medical marijuana may contribute to a better quality of life. The first step in seeking this treatment option is to ensure that the Department of Health standards of chronic pain are met.
New York?s Department of Health defines chronic pain as ?”any severe debilitating pain that the practitioner determines degrades health and functional capability; where the patient has contraindications, has experienced intolerable side effects, or has experienced failure of one or more previously tried therapeutic options; and where there is documented medical evidence of such pain having lasted three months or more beyond onset, or the practitioner reasonably anticipates such pain to last three months or more beyond onset.”
Start by seeing your family physician to discuss the chronic pain condition. From there, you may be encouraged to seek a physician registered with New York?s Department of Health?s Medical Marijuana Program.
Patients may be referred by their family doctor to us at Holistic On Call, a convenient and affordable next step. HOC is a telemedicine service, meaning perspective patients can seek approval for medical marijuana use from the comfort of their own homes. Our process works quickly and accommodates individual schedules with ease. Patients simply enter their health and payment information into our online platform. You will only be charged if you are approved for medical marijuana certification.
This is followed by a call with one of our registered doctors, who will determine whether you are a fit candidate for certification. If approved, a certification for medical marijuana use will be sent via UPS and a secure email. Unlike a visit to any other registered medical marijuana physician, by using HOC, you or your loved one can be approved with no wait time, with no travel necessary.
Holistic On Call?s services are available in New York and California, and will soon be expanded to other states in the US with medical marijuana programs. Enroll with us online and experience the swiftness and affordability of our at-home medical service.
