New York’s health system could soon get a dose of something new: medical marijuana training. According to the New York Post, Governor Kathy Hochul is proposing the nation’s first “Center for Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity,” a medical hub designed to train future doctors and nurses in cannabis pharmacology and patient care.
Hochul says the initiative aims to expand access to medical cannabis in underserved communities, particularly among black and brown New Yorkers. “Black and Brown neighborhoods in New York tend to have more recreational cannabis dispensaries and fewer medical cannabis dispensaries and pathways to clinical care than other neighborhoods,” the policy book said.
The center would train clinicians to better counsel patients on how cannabis interacts with the body—subjects rarely covered in traditional medical education. According to the policy, “developed with medical schools and residency programs, the Center will train clinicians on cannabis pharmacology, evidence-based care, and patient counseling—topics that are rarely covered in traditional medical education—so providers beyond medical dispensaries are equipped to counsel prospective medical cannabis patients and manage ongoing care.”
A spokesperson for Hochul confirmed that discussions with medical schools are underway and that the state may issue licenses to medical professionals trained in cannabis treatment. “It’s all on the table,” the spokesperson said.
But the governor’s proposal has ignited fierce criticism from political rivals. Nassau County Executive and GOP gubernatorial hopeful Bruce Blakeman blasted the plan as misguided. “Kathy Hochul must be high if she thinks taxpayers want a ‘Center for Cannabis Excellence’ while schools are failing, streets are unsafe, and families can’t afford New York.”
According to The Post, the proposal also follows a 2025 UCLA-led study that cast doubt on many claimed medical marijuana benefits, citing “insufficient evidence” for treating pain, PTSD, and arthritis, while warning of potential mental health risks among heavy users. Some lawmakers argue that the state’s cannabis rollout has already been troubled by bureaucratic mistakes, lawsuits, and inconsistent regulation—factors that have left medical cannabis patients behind.
Despite more than 550 dispensaries statewide, many medical cannabis advocates say the number of medicinal outlets has dropped since recreational legalization. The New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association welcomed Hochul’s plan, saying it could rebuild confidence in the medical program by better training healthcare providers. However, the group urged the state to eliminate the medical cannabis tax, which no other medication carries.
Alongside the care center, Hochul also announced a plan to create a cannabis business incubator network, offering loans, startup grants, and partnerships with SUNY and CUNY to bolster the state’s cannabis economy.