Relating to medical use of cannabis and to the controlled substances therapeutic research act; repealer

S 3294 updates New York's medical cannabis program by extending the validity of patient and caregiver registry cards from one to two years, streamlining certification processes for doctors, and clarifying possession limits. It requires practitioners to complete training before issuing certifications, allows special certifications for patients with progressive conditions, and permits patients to possess up to a 60-day supply of cannabis (aligning with existing penal law). The bill directly affects certified patients, designated caregivers, and healthcare providers by modernizing documentation, reducing administrative burdens, and updating expiration rules. It repeals the outdated Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act, consolidating the program under revised cannabis law provisions. This law took effect after being signed by the governor in November 2025.