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Advocates seek emergency access to medical marijuana

Advocates are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to grant emergency access to potentially lifesaving medical marijuana. Medical marijuana will become legal in New York in 2016, but that's not soon enough

News 12 Staff

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Dec 20, 2014, 4:13 AM

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Updated 3,506 days ago

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Advocates are calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to grant emergency access to potentially lifesaving medical marijuana.
Medical marijuana will become legal in New York in 2016, but that's not soon enough for many suffering from ailments like epilepsy.
Katy Miller drove into Manhattan from Atlantic Beach with her mother, Missy, and brother Oliver who suffers from seizures. They joined other patients and families to protest and deliver letters to Cuomo asking for emergency access to the drug.
"It's almost 2015. I live in New York. Why is my brother being denied medication?" asked Miller.
Drug experts say the governor is issuing a slow rollout of medical marijuana because this is the first time the state has done the job of the FDA by approving and regulating a drug. Dr. Jeff Reynolds says it's unlikely the state will give patients early access because it's too risky.
"I think New York state wants to do this in a way that protects public health and at the same time gives folks access to what might be their last hope," says Reynolds.
 
 
 
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