Medical Marijuana
July 16, 2018
After facing a number of hurdles, medical marijuana may be on the verge of becoming a viable treatment option for New York State Worker’s Compensation claimants suffering with chronic pain due to their injuries.
The New York State Department of Health announced on July 12, 2018, the filing of emergency regulations adding any condition for which an opioid could be prescribed, as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. Because so many injured workers are forced to resort to opioid use to treat their pain, this is indeed a major step in providing a safer alternative.
Although medical marijuana is still not a preauthorized form of treatment under the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board’s Medical Treatment Guidelines, the action by the Department of Health should make it easier for doctors treating workers’ compensation patients to obtain a variance to prescribe medical marijuana. If the variance is granted by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board, the insurance company will have to pay for the medical marijuana prescribed for the chronic pain.
If you have questions about your case and how you may obtain medical marijuana to treat your compensable condition, please call our office at 716-856-1600.
