Medical Marijuana Now Available as Substitute for Opioids in NY State
It's about time.
It's no secret that the opioid crisis across America and right here in the Capital Region has got completely out of hand. I feel like every day there is a new story of one of our neighbors or friends ruining or losing their life to opioid addiction.
As it turns out a lot of people with the addiction first started by using doctor prescribed opioid medication. Which is really scary to think about especially when you are in a lot of pain and the medicine is helping at first but then ends up hurting you in the long run.
Well, according to CBS6 Albany, effective immediately the New York State Department of Health has announced emergency regulations that allow health care professionals to prescribe medical marijuana for pain instead of opioids.
It seems as though this new development is for patients that are in sever pain that is not considered chronic pain. Apparently as soon as next week certified patients and their designated caregivers will be able to print temporary registry ID cards that will allow them to purchase medical marijuana.
I don't know about you but I am pretty excited about the prospect of an alternative for pain management that does not ruin lives.