What forms of medical cannabis are allowed in New York State?
Approved forms include but are not limited to solid or semi-solid dosage forms (such as capsules, tablets, and lozenges), metered liquid or oil preparations (for vaporization or oral administration), metered ground plant preparations, and topicals and transdermal patches.
Cannabis is NOT for use in patients with a psychotic illness.
In cannabis, THC is the main component that causes psychoactive effects in humans. Based on large-scale epidemiological studies of the recreational use of cannabis in young adults, THC has been shown to have an association with aggravating or precipitating a psychotic episode in persons with a susceptibility to such effects. Therefore, any patient with a history of psychotic illness including schizophrenia should avoid using cannabis, unless there is a clear indication and active engagement and collaboration of a treating psychiatrist. Also, a patient with a family history of a first degree relative with schizophrenia may be at increased risk of developing a psychotic illness, if the patient were to use THC-containing cannabis-based products.
Negative impacts of cannabis use in patients with ischemic heart disease.
THC can cause vasodilation, lower blood pressure, and increase cardiac demand. Smoking cannabis has been associated with a four-fold increase in the risk of myocardial infarction in the hour following cannabis smoking.. Therefore, cannabis should be avoided in patients with active unstable ischemic heart disease.
Cannabis use should be avoided by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Cannabis use has been associated with premature labor and low birth weight. Cannabinoids appear in breast milk and the effects of cannabinoids on breastfeeding infants are unknown. Until more data are available, cannabis use by pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should be avoided.