New York State has launched what officials say is the nation’s first Center of Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity, an initiative designed to help healthcare providers navigate the growing use of cannabis among patients through evidence-based education and clinical resources.
The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced the initiative this week, saying the center was first proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul as part of her 2026 State of the State agenda. Officials said the program reflects the state’s public health-focused approach to cannabis regulation by emphasizing education, safety, and science-based research.
“As outlined in my State of the State, New York is committed to building a cannabis framework rooted in public health and safety,” Hochul said. “The Center of Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity represents an important step forward in ensuring that, as access expands, our healthcare system is equipped with the education, data, and tools needed to support patients and communities responsibly.”
The initiative builds on New York’s existing medical cannabis program and is intended to help clinicians address cannabis use in both medical and adult-use settings. The goal is to provide consistent, evidence-based guidance as cannabis becomes more widely available.
The center is being launched in partnership with several leading medical and academic institutions across the state, including SUNY Upstate Medical University, Stony Brook Medicine, the University of Rochester Medical Center, the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Albany Medical Center, the CUNY School of Public Health, the University at Albany College of Integrated Health Sciences, and the New York State Office of Mental Health.
Those organizations will participate in a pilot program aimed at evaluating educational strategies, improving clinician engagement, and developing programs for statewide implementation.
The pilot includes Grand Rounds presentations, clinical webinars based on real-world patient cases, and educational toolkits tailored for providers in pediatric, OB-GYN, primary care, pain management, palliative care, and emergency medicine. Officials said the materials emphasize culturally competent, patient-centered communication and are designed for use in medical schools and residency training programs.
OCM Executive Director John Kagia said the Center of Excellence supports the agency’s commitment to public health, safety, and equity by strengthening patient-provider communication and expanding access to evidence-based information.
Dr. June Chin, OCM’s chief medical officer, said legalization marked the beginning of building a public health framework rather than the end goal.
“The Center of Excellence is about providing clinicians with access to consistent, evidence-based information so they can navigate these conversations with clarity and confidence,” Chin said. “At its core, this work is about health equity and ensuring that all communities have access to informed, safe, and culturally responsive care.”
The initiative is being developed in consultation with the New York State Department of Health and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to align with existing public health guidance and prevention efforts.
State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said the center will help ensure healthcare providers have the education and data-driven resources needed to promote safe, informed discussions about cannabis with patients.
To expand the program, OCM has also issued a Request for Proposals seeking vendors to develop additional online training courses covering topics such as the endocannabinoid system, medical cannabis, cannabis science, consumer health, and health equity. The courses will be available to healthcare providers, pharmacists, and other professionals to promote consistent, research-based education across New York.
