- New York City 07/07/2014 by Linda Perry (WBAI)

At the New York Academy of Medicine Governor Cuomo said, "There is no doubt Medical Marijuana can help people."

The law is called the Compassionate Care Act. It was 17 years in the making.

The Governor said it took so long because it required a nuanced approach, and that is precisely what the government has achieved.  He said the law addresses both the health benefits of marijuana and the public safety concerns. 

The Health Department will license and regulate five organizations which will dispense it around the state. There are significant penalties for abuse of the system.

Cuomo said, "The legislation I feel confident gets us the best that Medical Marijuana has to offer in the most protective controlled way possible."