How New York Is Keeping Cannabis Medical After Legalization
New York’s $2 billion cannabis market is designed to be both “equity first” and “health-forward.” While social equity initiatives often dominate headlines, the state’s medical and public health framework is just as groundbreaking. In an era where adult-use cannabis has taken over most markets, New York is striving to maintain a strong medical foundation through regulation, education, and research.
A Unique Health Approach to Cannabis Regulation
At the heart of New York’s health-focused approach is Dr. June Chin, an osteopathic physician and the newly appointed Chief Health Officer for the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Her position is rare among state cannabis agencies—and reflects New York’s intent to treat cannabis not just as an industry, but as a public health matter.
Dr. Chin’s role goes far beyond overseeing medical marijuana patients. “I oversee health, safety, research, protecting patients—and, most importantly, public health,” she explained in a recent interview. Her mission is to integrate medical insight into all aspects of cannabis policy, ensuring that legalization does not overshadow the therapeutic and safety priorities that first brought cannabis into public medicine.
Keeping Cannabis Medical in an Adult-Use Era
For many states, legalizing recreational cannabis has led to a decline in medical patient participation. Once consumers can walk into a store and buy cannabis freely, medical programs often lose relevance. New York, however, is attempting to reverse that trend by embedding healthcare expertise into its regulatory system.
Dr. Chin’s vision includes a wide array of initiatives:
Educating youth and parents on cannabis risks and responsible behavior.
Training emergency-room personnel to identify cannabis overuse.
Guiding pediatricians and family doctors to offer informed advice.
Ensuring safe storage and labeling to prevent accidental ingestion.
She emphasizes that cannabis education must reach beyond patients with medical cards. “When states move from a medical market to adult-use, it increases access, but it also increases the desire for therapeutic action,” she said. “Now that it’s legalized, folks are more comfortable having an open conversation.”
The Medical Cannabis Symposium and Research Efforts
As part of her ongoing mission, Dr. Chin will moderate the upcoming Medical Cannabis Symposium, a two-day event beginning November 6 on Long Island. Co-hosted by Northwell Health, New York’s largest hospital network, the symposium will bring together clinicians, researchers, and industry experts to discuss integrating cannabis into clinical practice.
The event also includes a free certification course for healthcare professionals, helping them better understand cannabis-based therapies and begin offering medical cannabis certifications to patients. This effort reflects New York’s strategy to keep medical cannabis relevant—and accessible—even as recreational sales expand.
Modernizing the Medical Program
Despite the federal limitations that still classify cannabis as a Schedule 1 controlled substance, New York lawmakers continue to strengthen their medical system. The state remains one of the few that requires licensed pharmacists to be present in medical dispensaries, ensuring that patients receive professional guidance.
Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to sign legislation aimed at “modernizing” the state’s medical marijuana program. Once enacted, patients will:
Receive two-year certifications instead of annual renewals.
Be allowed to cultivate cannabis at home for personal use.
Gain reciprocity rights to use their certifications in other states.
These changes are intended to make medical participation easier and more sustainable, especially for long-term patients using cannabis for chronic conditions.
Waiting for Federal Reform
The future of cannabis medicine still depends heavily on federal policy. As long as cannabis remains under Schedule 1, meaningful research and FDA-approved therapeutic claims remain out of reach.
However, there is growing optimism that change is near. Former President Donald Trump, who previously pledged to revisit the Biden-era proposal to move cannabis to Schedule 3, could help unlock broader research opportunities and insurance-backed treatments.
Dr. Chin believes this reclassification would bring tangible progress. “It will open up opportunities for research,” she said. “And there will be a shift—a melting away of stigma and more open conversations among providers.”
Cannabis, Children, and Public Education
A particularly sensitive area of focus for Dr. Chin and the OCM is cannabis and youth education. The agency recently concluded a series of statewide meetings addressing questions such as: What does responsible cannabis education look like for teenagers? How should parents discuss safety?
These discussions are crucial to ensuring that legalization does not compromise child safety. Chin’s office is developing age-appropriate resources for schools and community programs, emphasizing both prevention and awareness rather than fear-based messaging.
Preserving the Medical Core of Cannabis
Even as cannabis becomes mainstream, New York’s approach underscores its medical origins. The state is ensuring that physicians remain central to the conversation—armed with accurate information about dosage, product types, and patient interaction.
Dr. Chin’s work reflects an understanding that the cannabis conversation has evolved. “There’s still stigma,” she noted, “but there is more support for education and safety and guidance.”
As New York’s cannabis market matures, it may serve as a model for other states seeking to balance economic opportunity, social justice, and public health. The challenge remains complex, but by prioritizing research, clinical education, and responsible access, New York is showing that legalization doesn’t have to mean the end of medical cannabis, it can be its rebirth.
