Medical Marijuana May Soon Be Allowed In New York State

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected to add New York to the 20 states allowing medical marijuana use.

Marijuana remains illegal in New York, though possession of small amounts has been reduced to a low-level violation subject to a fine.

But the administrative action involving a limited number of hospitals and ailments is set to be announced by Cuomo in his state of the state speech Wednesday. It was first reported by the New York Times.

Other controlled substances like narcotics are already authorized for medical use.

Gabriel Sayegh of the state Drug Policy Alliance, which was briefed on the Cuomo plan Saturday, says it’s a huge change, but New York should still enact legislation that has been blocked by the state Senate’s Republicans.

The Cuomo administration failed to respond to requests for comment.

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