ALBANY -- New York's health commissioner says he expects the state trial of medical marijuana to be up and running within a year.

Dr. Nirav Shah told lawmakers at a hearing Monday that the research is intended to examine the drug's effectiveness in patient treatment, for example with pain in stages of cancer.

He says the goal is to provide evidence of value not only for New York but for the country.

The Cuomo administration has proposed a limited initiative to authorize medical marijuana use by patients at 20 hospitals.

Shah says many hospitals have shown interest, the health department plans to establish the trial within the limits of current law, and it will use marijuana provided by the federal government.

Some legislators questioned the need for further study, saying patients are suffering now.