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Local Operations Get Medical Marijuana Licenses

Picture of marijuana plant
wikipedia.org

The New York State Health Department has announcedthe winners of five medical marijuana licenses, winnowing a field of more than 40 applicants. Empire State Health Solutions will manufacture the drug in Fulton County and distribute in Albany and Westchester Counties. Etain will manufacture in Warren County and distribute in Albany, Ulster, Westchester and Onondaga Counties.  Other licensed applicants include PharmaCann, Columbia Care, which will distribute in Clinton County, and Bloomfield Industries.

Five companies have been picked by New York state health officials to operate the state's new medical marijuana program when it begins next year.

The organizations announced Friday include one led by a Minnesota physician, a business started by a woman who lost her mother to ALS as well as companies that operate dispensaries in at least six states.

Each of the groups chosen by the state will be allowed to operate up to four dispensaries that will be scattered throughout the state.

Forty-three organizations submitted applications.

Under a law passed last year, the state will have one of the country's strictest medical marijuana programs. Patients with qualifying conditions like cancer, AIDS or epilepsy will be authorized to obtain only non-smokeable versions of the drug.

Copyright 2015 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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