WASHINGTON DC — U.S. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand on September 29 urged the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to grant New Yorkers immediate access to a strain of medical marijuana most commonly known as “Charlotte’s Web” before legalization is implemented in the state. The waiver would allow cannabis oil to be transported across state lines from Colorado into New York State. The request originally came to the senators from New York families with young children suffering from diseases where cannabis oil proved to be effective in reducing pain and controlling symptoms.

New York’s marijuana law was passed in July and will allow limited access to medical marijuana. It is estimated that it will take up to 18 months for the law to be fully implemented and for medical marijuana to be produced in-state. If the waiver is granted, critically ill seizure sufferers would have access to medical marijuana far more quickly.

“For the many children suffering from certain types of epilepsy and seizure disorders, who are in great pain, prescription-based marijuana can be the only option; it is only fair to provide them access,” said Schumer.