New York Launches Program to Educate Doctors About Cannabis

The New York Office if Cannabis Management (OCM) last week launched its Center of Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity. 

The center was first announced in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State address. The state’s website describes the center as educating “healthcare providers and public health professionals about cannabis so they can better serve patients and support systems that protect and promote health.” 

The University at Albany and Albany Medical Center are supporting the initiative. SUNY Upstate Medical University, Stony Brook Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, CUNY School of Public Health, and New York State Office of Mental Health are also involved in the center.  

In a statement, John Kagia, OCM executive director, said that when the state legalized cannabis for adult use, it “chose a different path than many other states from the beginning.” 

“Our approach was about more than creating a new market. It’s always been about building a framework rooted in public health, safety, education and equity.” — Kagia in a press release 

The agency also issued a request for proposals from qualified persons and/or entities to design, develop, and deliver online asynchronous training on the topics of the endocannabinoid system, medical cannabis, cannabis science, cannabis consumer health, and cannabis health equity. The training is intended for medical practitioners and dispensary workers who are involved in or seeking to become involved in the state’s medical cannabis program as well as community-based organizations, state and local officials, and other individuals or organizations interested in medical cannabis. Applications for those proposals were due in May.