On October 5, 2021, the NYS Cannabis Control Board announced the work that the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) is undertaking, alongside the Department of Health (DOH), to expand the medical program as it begins to transition out of DOH over to the OCM. The following programmatic enhancements have been implemented, effective immediately:
• The types of practitioners who can certify patients for the medical use of marijuana have been expanded to include anyone who is licensed, registered, or certified by New York State to prescribe controlled substances to humans within the State. This means that dentists, podiatrists, and midwives may now recommend medical cannabis. All practitioners are required to complete at least a two-hour course and register with the Department before they can begin certifying patients for medical cannabis. For more information on how to become a certifying practitioner visit:
 How to become a certifying practitioner