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(Associated Press)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The state wants to let patients use medical marijuana in hospitals.

Hospitals will be allowed to create policies allowing patients to use the drug or have caregivers administer it to them under a regulation proposed by the state Health Department. The regulation is expected to go into effect in February.

That proposal is part of an effort by the state to expand New York's medical marijuana program.

Here are other changes in the medical marijuana program announced today by the state:

Wholesaling: Organizations licensed to grow and dispense medical marijuana will be allowed to sell it on a wholesale basis to other licensed organizations in New York state. Organizations that want to begin wholesaling must submit proposals to the state.

More brands: Licensees can only produce and sell five brands of medical marijuana. The state is lifting that cap so dispensaries can make more varieties of medical marijuana available. The state said removing the cap on brands and allowing wholesaling will help ensure the continuous supply of medical marijuana even if a crop fails.

Medical pot for chronic pain: The state recently announced plans to add chronic pain as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. Today, the health department released its definition of chronic pain as:

The proposed regulation adding chronic pain as a qualifying condition will be published in the state register, then subjected to a 45-day comment period before it can be adopted.

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