The New York Society of Addiction Medicine opposes passage of Senate Bill 4406-B for the following reasons:
- There is insufficient scientific evidence that marijuana is effective in addressing many of the conditions enumerated in S.4406-B.
- Where an active ingredient of marijuana is specifically indicated in the treatment of a condition enumerated in S.4406-B, the proposed language does not reflect that specificity. If, for example, CBD is the component part of marijuana indicated for a specific condition, the proposed bill fails to distinguish types of cannabinoids, how concentration of cannabinoids will be quantified, and how accuracy in labeling will be achieved.
- S.4406-B does not address how advertising and product promotion will be regulated and restricted. For-profit corporations will be able to own dispensaries. The profit motive has led to harmful practices in California and other states.
- The bill’s requirement that representatives from the marijuana industry have a place on the advisory committee is a problematic conflict of interest.
- The FDA has not approved the medical use of marijuana.
NYSAM urges the New York State Senate to reject S.4406-B. We encourage New York State to implement Governor Cuomo’s plan to work with the FDA and the medical research community in an initial pilot of the medical use of marijuana.
