To the Editor:

New York’s Compassionate Care Act has helped thousands of patients gain access to the analgesic and other therapeutic qualities of cannabis. But patients in Ithaca are still more than an hour away from the nearest dispensary. And they are not the only ones.

As a member of Cannabis Doctors of New York, I’ve seen the life-changing results of medical and legalized marijuana, and made it my mission to spread the good news. However, our state’s medical marijuana policy has not lived up to its potential, and hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers have been deprived of the care they are entitled to.

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 this care.

It comes down to the numbers. And they are pathetic.

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 asking lawmakers to consider the unfairness of this situation and pass bill S8148 in the State Senate. This measure would allow for up to 250 dispensaries (whereas now the maximum is 40) in our very large state.

There are currently only four dispensaries serving Western New York’s three million residents. What is the point of this medical program if all New Yorkers in need can’t access it?

A growing body of research proves that cannabis is an effective tool in safely treating ailments that are now being treated with opioids and, in fact, it is being shown to help wean patients off narcotics. As a doctor, I’ve seen these results.

About 60 people overdosed on opioids last year right here in Tompkins County. It’s time to take a stand. It’s time for New York to join the 21st Century and expand the current medical cannabis law, increase patient access, and allow our responsible M.D.s to use their judgement in treating the many conditions that could be helped by cannabis (and that were originally included in the Compassionate Care Act). It shouldn’t take a doctor to realize this would be good medical policy.

New York prides itself on leading the way, but on this issue, it is way behind. Before New York even considers recreational marijuana, let’s get our medical program right

I urge Governor Andrew Cuomo and the legislature to consider the health of our state’s most needy residents. The compassionate thing to do is to enhance the Compassionate Care Act.

Kenneth R. Weinberg, M.D.

Ithaca

Editor’s note: This letter was submitted through Fred Polsinelli who lobbies for medical marijuana and whose sister, Alisha Betti, a pharmacist, wrote a May 3 letter to us on the subject. We followed with a story, “Bills would bring cannabis to more patients, may help with opioid crisis,” and an editorial “Reefer Madness — Ignoring the benefits of medical marijuana.”