New York Senate Health Committee Advances Bill for Out-of-State Medical Cannabis Access

ALBANY – The New York State Senate Health Committee approved legislation that would recognize medical Cannabis certifications from other states, granting those patients access to New York dispensaries under specific conditions.

The measure, Senate Bill 3105, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Cooney and co-sponsored by Sen. James Skoufis, cleared the committee by a vote of 9-3, with two members voting aye with reservations. Under the bill, a non-resident certified for medical Cannabis in their home state would count as holding a valid New York registry identification card, provided they supply legitimate documentation and follow the state’s possession limits. The Cannabis Control Board would issue regulations to carry out the policy and hold authority to form formal reciprocity agreements with other states that run medical programs.

The same legislation directs the board to write rules approving pre-rolled Cannabis products for the medical program. Sponsors point out that pre-rolls often cost less than other forms and suit patients who face challenges grinding or rolling their own medicine. The memo attached to the bill notes that average monthly costs for medical Cannabis run around $400, making affordability a key concern.

This is not the first effort on the issue. A separate law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in November 2025 already opened basic dispensary purchases to out-of-state patients who present home-state proof and identification. That statute took effect earlier this year, with related regulations proposed in March. The current bill builds on that foundation by emphasizing formal agreements and adding the pre-roll option. The measure passed the full Senate last June but did not clear the Assembly before the session ended. Its return to committee this week restarts the process in the 2025-2026 session.

New York draws millions of domestic travelers each year and sees regular cross-border commuting from New Jersey and Connecticut. Supporters argue the change would let those patients maintain consistent treatment while in the state, without forcing them to obtain a separate New York certification.

The bill could widen the customer base for the state’s licensed medical dispensaries, which operate under stricter product rules and lower taxes than adult-use outlets. Medical patients already enjoy higher possession allowances and specialized formulations not always available in recreational stores. Adding pre-rolls and smoother reciprocity could reduce barriers for travelers and commuters alike.

The Cannabis Control Board would still need time to draft and adopt the necessary regulations if the bill becomes law. No immediate timeline exists for those steps.

This committee vote represents a practical adjustment to how states handle mobile patients in a patchwork of medical programs. Success in the full Legislature would depend on Assembly support and gubernatorial approval, but the direction aligns with efforts in states like Nevada, Michigan and Ohio that already offer similar recognition.

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