#WeRise420

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, April 16, 2020

NEW YORK, New York – We Rise To Legalize is calling on New York State (NYS) Governor Andrew Cuomo to direct the NYS Department of Health (NYDoH) to enact an innovative community based Emergency Marijuana Access Program (EMAP) as required by law. The imminent health risks and loss of life in communities of color across NYS caused by the COVID-19 and Opioid pandemics far exceeds the statutory threshold needed to require NYDoH action.

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NYS passed the EMAP bill, Public Health Law 3365-A, which requires the NYDoH to expedite availability of medical marijuana to (1) avoid suffering and loss of life, (2) correct progressive and degenerative conditions, and/or (3) when delays in use pose serious risk to life and health. In its current form, NYS Medical Marijuana Program denies communities of color equal access to community based education, outreach, and supply of medicinal marijuana. The inaccessibility coupled with the COVID and Opioid pandemics create the conditions that requires NYDoH to enact EMAP.

NYS is the COVID epicenter leading the nation in COVID cases and deaths. Both are rising. The US Department of Health has reported COVID cases are overwhelmingly high in low income communities made up of people of color. Individuals in those communities have higher unemployment rates and suffer more health care disparities than other ethnicities.

Studies show COVID combined the Opioid abuse creates a deadly combination in communities of color. The US Department of Health noted that poverty and unemployment are highly correlated with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). Studies show that where COVID increases, unemployment and job loss increases resulting in increases in OUD. Therefore communities of color are at a serious health risk because they will experience greater spikes in unemployment, fewer healthcare options, and limited access to substance abuse treatment. This is further enhanced due to social distancing restrictions. Additionally, people with OUD have a greater risk of having inadequate housing because they are more often homeless and/or incarcerated.

Research shows access to Medical Marijuana lowers cases of OUD. Innovative EMAP regulations will provide community based outreach, education, and medicinal care options throughout NYS in communities of color. In addition to preserving life and addressing serious health risks EMAP will provide at risk communities with sustainable essential jobs and health treatment options thereby decreasing unemployment and healthcare disparities. Therefore we call on Governor Cuomo to immediately direct the NYDoH to institute an innovative community-based EMAP program to address this serious public health need.

Sign the petition at WeRise420.org