Medical marijuana in a nonsmokable form was legalized in New York on Monday when Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill during a ceremony.
The governor signed the Compassionate Care Act a month after the state Senate passed the legislation, CNN reports. While the CCA will allow for the use of medical marijuana, patients who hope to use it will have to hope they suffer from an ailment on a predetermined list.
Should anyone attempt to illegally qualify for medical marijuana under the legislation, Cuomo said that person could face criminal charges. The governor also noted that he can "suspend the program at any time" should the Commissioner of Health or State Police Superintendent come to him with the suggestion.
Monday's signing was ceremonial since Cuomo signed the bill two days prior due to a deadline, but used the opportunity to rail against marijuana, according to NY1.
"I am against legalizing marijuana. And that's not what this is. This is medical marijuana," the New York governor said. "So no smoking, only through a prescription, highly regulated, only for a very descriptive set of conditions."
Cuomo added that "Smoking marijuana was dangerous" and that the health department allowing smoking would have been "oxymoronic."
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