New York is now the 23rd state to legalize medical marijuana, but there is a catch – patients will not be able to smoke it. The Compassionate Care Act legalizes non-smokable forms of the herb, such as pills or vapors for patients with cancer, epilepsy, and other serious illnesses. According to USA Today, the legislation was passed mid-June and signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York on July 7th. Cuomo told reporters that the bill was “an important step toward bringing relief to patients living with extraordinary pain and illness.”

California and Arizona expand medical marijuana legislation…

New York is not the only state with medical marijuana advancements. In Berkeley, CA legislation was passed that requires dispensaries to make 2 percent of their products available to qualified low-income patients at no cost. The bill, which passed by unanimous vote of the Berkeley City Council on July 8, also ensures that qualified patients will receive the same quality of marijuana as paying patients. Again this legislation applies to patients with specific severe and debilitating illnesses. The bill also includes approval of a fourth dispensary to be opened in the city.

Earlier this month, Arizona State also expanded legislation to include veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The new bill will take effect at the start of 2015. Veterans will be required to try and explore other treatment options before they can be approved to use medical marijuana as a form of treatment.

Polls show that new legislation is being met with open arms in the State of New York, while Arizona State residents have shown some apprehension. Governor Cuomo left this message, “There is no doubt that medical marijuana can help people – It’s been proven in other states. There’s a whole history of information and data and research just on that topic, and we are there to help people.”

Source for this article include:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/07/health/new-york-medical-marijuana/

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279457.php

http://www.usatoday.com