STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.--Staten Islanders suffering from acute pain now have an option: Opioids or marijuana.

A bill signed into legislation this week by Gov. Andrew Cuomo adds "acute pain" to the list of qualifying conditions for medicinal marijuana. The list already included "chronic pain."

The bill also allows for drug treatment providers to recommend medical marijuana as a way to manage underlying pain that contributes to the abuse of opioids, according to a press release Monday from Cuomo's office.

In a prepared statement, Cuomo said the bill is a necessary step toward combatting an opioid epidemic on Staten Island and beyond.

"...it is critical that we use every means at our disposal to prevent the unnecessary prescription of these dangerous and addictive painkillers," Cuomo said.

More than 60,000 people were signed up for the state's medical marijuana program, as of July, for conditions that include chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The state Health Department determined earlier this year that the positives of a legal and regulated market would outweigh the negatives.

Legalizing adult-use

A work group spearheaded by Cuomo has been tasked with drafting legislation for an adult-use marijuana program for the legislature to consider during the upcoming session.

An open forum at which Staten Islanders can speak their minds about legalizing marijuana outright will be held Wednesday at the College of Staten Island.