New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that five major healthcare systems are joining the state’s Center of Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity, expanding a statewide initiative focused on medical marijuana research, physician education and patient care.
The five new partners are Mount Sinai Health System, Roswell Park Care Network, Montefiore Einstein Medical Center, Hospital for Special Surgery and Northwell Health. Their participation expands a network designed to connect healthcare providers, researchers and public health professionals to improve understanding of marijuana’s medical applications.
The Center of Excellence, which officially launched in June, operates as a virtual statewide hub supporting clinical research, healthcare education and collaboration among medical institutions. The expansion builds on Hochul’s 2026 State of the State commitment to strengthening connections between scientific research and clinical practice.
“By giving healthcare professionals the information and tools they need to understand cannabis and talk with their patients about its use, we are helping New Yorkers make informed decisions about their health”, said Hochul, who described the expansion as part of the state’s broader commitment to science-based marijuana policy.
The five healthcare systems join eight founding partners, including SUNY Upstate Medical University, Stony Brook Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Albany Medical Center, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, CUNY School of Public Health, University at Albany College of Integrated Health Sciences and the New York State Office of Mental Health.
Through the expanded partnership, the center will increase educational programs for physicians and other healthcare professionals, including grand rounds presentations across participating institutions. It will also develop new public education materials in coordination with the Department of Health, Office of Addiction Services and Supports and Office of Mental Health.
John Kagia, executive director of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, said the initiative is designed to give clinicians better access to research and resources when discussing marijuana with patients.
“The Center of Excellence gives clinicians the resources they need to navigate questions about cannabis with their patients and creates a vital statewide network for sharing knowledge, research and best practices”, said Kagia.
Northwell Health, which serves more than two million patients annually, plans to contribute expertise in cannabinoid neuroscience, clinical trials and therapeutic development through its Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research.
Montefiore Einstein Medical Center will also bring experience in medical marijuana research involving chronic pain, while Hospital for Special Surgery plans to contribute to research and clinical education focused on translating scientific findings into patient care.
The expansion coincides with the state’s third annual Cannabinoids in Clinical Practice and Research Symposium, which will bring together researchers, physicians and public health professionals in Tarrytown to discuss developments in cannabinoid science, clinical treatment and public health.
The symposium will also offer a free, two-hour New York State Medical Cannabis Program Practitioner Course for healthcare professionals interested in certifying patients for medical marijuana. Continuing education credits will be available to eligible participants.
According to the Office of Cannabis Management, the Center of Excellence is intended to strengthen the scientific evidence supporting medical marijuana treatment, improve healthcare professionals’ understanding of cannabinoid pharmacology and safety, and develop research infrastructure to inform future clinical practices and state policies.
