To the Editor:

New York’s Compassionate Care Act went into effect in January of 2016 and provided much-needed holistic relief to thousands of patients. As a Guilderland resident and a retail pharmacist, I’ve seen the life-changing results that the thoughtful and judicious use of medical cannabis can provide.

Prescription marijuana medication has helped my patients safely cope with a variety of serious ailments such as cancer; AIDS; chronic pain; and inflammatory bowel disease, known as IBS.

It’s time for New York to join the 21st Century and pass the pending legislation such as New York State Senate Bill 8148 that would expand the current medical cannabis law, increase patient access and dispensary locations, and allow our responsible doctors and pharmacists to better use their judgement in treating the many conditions that could be helped by cannabis.

A large body of research proves that cannabis is an effective tool in safely treating ailments that are now being treated with opioids. I’ve seen firsthand patients get off opioids by using marijuana medication to treat their pain.

This is no small accomplishment and it should not be downplayed or discounted. Some 9,000 New Yorkers overdosed on opioids last year — a nearly threefold increase from a decade ago.

As a graduate of the Albany College of Pharmacy, I’ve worked for a variety of major medical corporations and seen how they treat patients. Medical cannabis pharmacists interact and communicate with patients at a deeper and more effective way than at traditional drugstores.

Every patient has different needs, and patient interaction is critical to finding the right level of care and treatment for each individual. We are on the right track in New York; however, there is much more work to be done.

The Capital Region has a higher-than-average ratio of dispensaries to patients than the rest of the state. It is fortunate that our community has embraced this medicine, but we have a long ways to go.

There are only 22 dispensaries that are currently operating in New York. Florida is about the same size and allows for 425 dispensaries.

Patients suffering from severe conditions do not have enough access to the medicine they are legally entitled to. I am urging lawmakers to consider the unfairness of this situation and pass s.8148 and allow for more New Yorkers to obtain the patient access they deserve.

All New Yorkers suffering from cancer, HIV infection or AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal-cord injury with spasticity, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, neuropathy, Huntington’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, or chronic pain should have access to the analgesic and other therapeutic qualities of cannabis.

Furthermore, these dispensaries are job creators and healing centers that elevate the discussion of holistic and safe treatment.

New York State needs better patient access and increased physician discretion to bring our medical marijuana program into the 21st Century. Right now, 20 percent of Americans live in a state with legal marijuana. Sixty-four percent of Americans approve of legalized marijuana, an issue that crosses party lines.

Recent news out of the Capitol in Albany suggests that many government officials and candidates are changing their minds on recreational marijuana. Before New York considers that, I urge Governor Cuomo and the legislature to consider the health of our state’s most needy residents.

Show some compassion and expand and enhance the Compassionate Care Act.

Alisha Betti, PharmD

Guilderland

Editor’s note: Alisha Betti is a New York State-certified medical cannabis prescribing pharmacist.

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