The state Department of Health is making changes

The Department of Health announced new proposed regulations that would make changes to the state's medical marijuana program to improve access.

New York's program has been criticized by the Marijuana Policy Project and patient advocates as being unnecessarily restrictive. Initial patient registration numbers were low compared to other state programs.

Proposed regulations will be published in the New York State Register on Aug. 23 and will be subject to a 30-day public comment period before they can be adopted.

Here are the proposed regulations for the medical marijuana program.

AP Photo/Jim Mone

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Expanding the variety of medical marijuana products

Under new regulations, registered organizations will be able to manufacture and distribute additional products. This includes topicals and certain non-smokable forms of ground plant material.

Topicals would include: lotions, ointments, patches, solid and semi-solid products like chewable and effervescent tablets and lozenges.

All products will be subject to rigorous testing. The department reserves the right to exclude inappropriate products or those that pose a threat to the public.

(Staten Island Advance/Tracey Porpora)

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Improving the dispensing facility experience

Prospective patients and practitioners will be able to enter a dispensing facility to speak directly with an RO representative. They can learn about products and get more information about the medical marijuana program.

These measures will allow people other than designated caregivers to accompany certified patients to the dispensing facility.

It was announced in August that a medical marijuana dispensary is coming to Staten Island. It is unclear when it will open or where it will be located.

AP Photo/Gosia Wozniacka

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Adding PTSD as a qualifying condition

In June, the Legislature passed a bill to add post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a qualifying condition.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo must still sign the bill in order for it become law.

AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo

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Refining the training program for practitioners

Proposed regulations will allow for shortened versions of the practitioner's course required to certify patients for medical marijuana. This will be in addition to the currently available four-hour courses.

The department will work with course providers to offer a two-hour course, similar to other medical education courses.

AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo

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Streamlining the manufacturing requirements

Another new regulation that is being proposed is streamlining the manufacturing requirements for medical marijuana products.

Provides the brands, forms and routes of administration of medical marijuana products authorized for manufacturing, as well as product labeling requirement. It provides that no synthetic marijuana additives shall be used in the production of any medical marijuana product.

AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo

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Organizations advertising

A proposed regulation included broadening the capability of registered organizations to advertise.

AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo

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Amending security requirements

Security requirements will be amended for manufacturing and dispensing facilities and for the transportation of medical marijuana products.

AP Photo/John Locher

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Clarifying laboratory testing methods

New regulations includes clarifying laboratory testing methods. Testing methods detail the minimum laboratory testing requirements for medical marijuana products. Testing shall be performed by a DOH approved laboratory located within New York state.

AP Photo/Marina Riker