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After weeks of hashing it out, the state of New York has finally negotiated a deal for the use of medical marijuana.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has just announced a “pilot program” that allows access to the coveted drug for New Yorkers in need. The agreement makes New York one of the more densely populated states to legalize medical marijuana, and simultaneously heralds another win for cannabis enthusiasts.

According to NYTimes:

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and legislative leaders announced an agreement on Thursday for a pilot program to provide access to marijuana to sick New Yorkers, making the state one of the largest to embrace the drug’s use as medicine.

The announcement came after days of intense negotiations between the Legislature and Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, who had proffered a more restrictive system earlier this year that was roundly criticized as unworkable for thousands of potential patients.

The new agreement included a major demand of the Cuomo administration: that no smoking of the drug would be permitted, though a variety of other options — including edibles and tinctures — would be. Patients would also be allowed to inhale if the drug was vaporized, similar to e-cigarettes.

“There are certainly significant medical benefits that can be garnered; at the same time, it’s a difficult issue because there are also risks that have to be averted,” Mr. Cuomo said, mentioning safety and law enforcement concerns. “We believe this bill strikes the right balance.”

See media coverage in the video clip below.

Photo: WENN