Robert Celt
New Member
Advocates of medical marijuana cheered in 2014 when the state approved a bill allowing its usage.
The Compassionate Care Act meant people suffering from conditions like epilepsy, cancer and multiple sclerosis could receive a prescription that would alleviate their symptoms.
"Saul" watched with curiosity as the state debated and passed the legislation. He grew heartened when it was announced Plattsburgh would host one of the 20 dispensaries across the state operated by five licensed providers. And he eagerly followed coverage of the launch of the dispensary in January.
But it's not likely to help Saul's partner, "Sheila," who suffers from debilitating multiple sclerosis.
The couple is now considering moving out of state.
Saul, who spoke to the Sun on the condition of anonymity, cited several reasons why the legislation would be unlikely to help the couple:
Based on his research of programs in other states, the cost would be prohibitive, he said. Insurance won't cover it because marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I drug at the federal level, the same designation as heroin. And doctors aren't likely to sign up because they don't want to operate in a state of legal ambiguity and face prosecution.
Saul also questioned what protection patients have from retaliation by the federal government and law enforcement, and if patient information is protected.
"I don't see a benefit for a large number of people," Saul concluded.
Saul and Sheila consider themselves to be an average working class couple.
Life was just fine until Sheila got sick.
"One day, she went to work and could barely walk anymore," Saul recalled. "She was working in a good-paying career until multiple sclerosis took that away from her."
Medical bills mounted following the diagnosis. Before long, the Clinton County couple lost their house.
When Sheila started having serious mobility issues, a doctor put her on Interferon shots. Those clocked in at $4,500 per month. Insurance paid a bit, while another program paid some.
The disease went from recurring remitting MS to progressive.
The injections stopped and Sheila was given a cocktail of muscle relaxers paired with other medications whose side effects were often worse than the symptoms, Saul recalled.
Sheila's situation seemed hopeless.
That led to Saul exploring the use of cannabis. After two months of research, he broached the subject with his girlfriend.
"Do you want to try this?" Saul asked.
Sheila said yes.
For the past several years, Sheila has been taking regular doses of cannabis oil.
Doing so, said Saul, has arrested the progress of the illness and has allowed her to maintain her mobility.
The oil has also helped alleviate several additional issues that afflict people with the disease.
"It's helped with pain, sleep and somewhat helped with bladder control issues," Saul said.
Under the state's medical marijuana policy, only oil, concentrate for vaporization and capsules are permitted.
Using comparative prices from other states, Saul estimated a month's supply of concentrate would cost between $800 and $1,200. He also expressed questions about the ratios of THC to CBD and which other cannabinoids are contained in the formula, among other concerns.
While he couldn't disclose how he obtains his cannabis, he says the current method is easier, cheaper and safer than obtaining it legally within New York (the medical marijuana law prohibits patients from obtaining the product across state lines).
Two medical marijuana providers serve the North Country region: Etain, which has dispensaries in Chestertown and Albany, and Columbia Care, which serves Plattsburgh.
A Etain spokesman said product cost depends greatly on the organization as well as the amount in each package.
The company's products range in price from $100-$250, said the rep, without specifying which.
Columbia Cares said their medications are priced "around $.95 per dose," but treatment cost varies based on patient needs.
The provider, said CEO Nicholas Vita, offers subsidies to lower the cost for those with financial limitations, as well as to senior citizens, military veterans and the terminally ill.
Physicians must register and go through a certification process in order to prescribe the medication.
As of March 22, 471 doctors have registered for the program, according to the department of health's website, and 2,039 patients have been certified.
It's unclear how many of those doctors are in the North Country: Both Etain and Columbia Care said that information is not available to registered organizations.
Vita said since their dispensary opened in January, the provider has received "a great deal of interest from physicians in the Plattsburgh area looking to learn more about our dispensary."
While Saul is waiting to see how the program in New York shakes out before signing his wife up, he is convinced the programs in other states, including Vermont and New Hampshire, whose program is scheduled to launch this spring, are more transparent and less restrictive (patients in the Green Mountain state are permitted, for instance, to grow their own pot.)
Saul called the policy a "half-measure" hatched by Gov. Andrew Cuomo for political reasons, noting the legislation contains an escape clause that will allow the governor to pull the plug if it doesn't work out.
"It's just enough to say he has a legal program for when he runs [for higher office]," he said.
Saul doesn't consider himself an activist – just a regular guy.
He said he is stepping forward to raise awareness about medical marijuana and herbal medicine to honor a family member who recently passed.
"I just want this to be a story to see what people who are interested in medical marijuana want," he said.
State health department officials declined to answer questions about the program.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: NY: State's Medical Marijuana Policy Is Smoke And Mirrors, Says Local Resident
Author: Pete DeMola
Contact: The Sun (information found at bottom of page)
Photo Credit: None found
Website: The Sun
The Compassionate Care Act meant people suffering from conditions like epilepsy, cancer and multiple sclerosis could receive a prescription that would alleviate their symptoms.
"Saul" watched with curiosity as the state debated and passed the legislation. He grew heartened when it was announced Plattsburgh would host one of the 20 dispensaries across the state operated by five licensed providers. And he eagerly followed coverage of the launch of the dispensary in January.
But it's not likely to help Saul's partner, "Sheila," who suffers from debilitating multiple sclerosis.
The couple is now considering moving out of state.
Saul, who spoke to the Sun on the condition of anonymity, cited several reasons why the legislation would be unlikely to help the couple:
Based on his research of programs in other states, the cost would be prohibitive, he said. Insurance won't cover it because marijuana remains classified as a Schedule I drug at the federal level, the same designation as heroin. And doctors aren't likely to sign up because they don't want to operate in a state of legal ambiguity and face prosecution.
Saul also questioned what protection patients have from retaliation by the federal government and law enforcement, and if patient information is protected.
"I don't see a benefit for a large number of people," Saul concluded.
Saul and Sheila consider themselves to be an average working class couple.
Life was just fine until Sheila got sick.
"One day, she went to work and could barely walk anymore," Saul recalled. "She was working in a good-paying career until multiple sclerosis took that away from her."
Medical bills mounted following the diagnosis. Before long, the Clinton County couple lost their house.
When Sheila started having serious mobility issues, a doctor put her on Interferon shots. Those clocked in at $4,500 per month. Insurance paid a bit, while another program paid some.
The disease went from recurring remitting MS to progressive.
The injections stopped and Sheila was given a cocktail of muscle relaxers paired with other medications whose side effects were often worse than the symptoms, Saul recalled.
Sheila's situation seemed hopeless.
That led to Saul exploring the use of cannabis. After two months of research, he broached the subject with his girlfriend.
"Do you want to try this?" Saul asked.
Sheila said yes.
For the past several years, Sheila has been taking regular doses of cannabis oil.
Doing so, said Saul, has arrested the progress of the illness and has allowed her to maintain her mobility.
The oil has also helped alleviate several additional issues that afflict people with the disease.
"It's helped with pain, sleep and somewhat helped with bladder control issues," Saul said.
Under the state's medical marijuana policy, only oil, concentrate for vaporization and capsules are permitted.
Using comparative prices from other states, Saul estimated a month's supply of concentrate would cost between $800 and $1,200. He also expressed questions about the ratios of THC to CBD and which other cannabinoids are contained in the formula, among other concerns.
While he couldn't disclose how he obtains his cannabis, he says the current method is easier, cheaper and safer than obtaining it legally within New York (the medical marijuana law prohibits patients from obtaining the product across state lines).
Two medical marijuana providers serve the North Country region: Etain, which has dispensaries in Chestertown and Albany, and Columbia Care, which serves Plattsburgh.
A Etain spokesman said product cost depends greatly on the organization as well as the amount in each package.
The company's products range in price from $100-$250, said the rep, without specifying which.
Columbia Cares said their medications are priced "around $.95 per dose," but treatment cost varies based on patient needs.
The provider, said CEO Nicholas Vita, offers subsidies to lower the cost for those with financial limitations, as well as to senior citizens, military veterans and the terminally ill.
Physicians must register and go through a certification process in order to prescribe the medication.
As of March 22, 471 doctors have registered for the program, according to the department of health's website, and 2,039 patients have been certified.
It's unclear how many of those doctors are in the North Country: Both Etain and Columbia Care said that information is not available to registered organizations.
Vita said since their dispensary opened in January, the provider has received "a great deal of interest from physicians in the Plattsburgh area looking to learn more about our dispensary."
While Saul is waiting to see how the program in New York shakes out before signing his wife up, he is convinced the programs in other states, including Vermont and New Hampshire, whose program is scheduled to launch this spring, are more transparent and less restrictive (patients in the Green Mountain state are permitted, for instance, to grow their own pot.)
Saul called the policy a "half-measure" hatched by Gov. Andrew Cuomo for political reasons, noting the legislation contains an escape clause that will allow the governor to pull the plug if it doesn't work out.
"It's just enough to say he has a legal program for when he runs [for higher office]," he said.
Saul doesn't consider himself an activist – just a regular guy.
He said he is stepping forward to raise awareness about medical marijuana and herbal medicine to honor a family member who recently passed.
"I just want this to be a story to see what people who are interested in medical marijuana want," he said.
State health department officials declined to answer questions about the program.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: NY: State's Medical Marijuana Policy Is Smoke And Mirrors, Says Local Resident
Author: Pete DeMola
Contact: The Sun (information found at bottom of page)
Photo Credit: None found
Website: The Sun
