ALBANY — New York is about to become the 23rd state to legalize marijuana for medicinal use — but not in its most popular form.
Gov. Cuomo announced Thursday that he and the state Legislature had reached a deal to allow patients suffering from about a dozen diseases to relieve their pain with pot. But they’d have to ingest it as an oil, vapor or pill.
Smoking would not be allowed — an exclusion that had been demanded by the governor.
The bill would cover a small number of diseases, including ALS, epilepsy, AIDS and cancer.
The measure would take effect 18 months after it is signed into law by Cuomo, and would permit up to 20 dispensaries to open statewide.
They would be privately run and charge a 7 percent sales tax.
The agreement came two years after advocates began their initial push — and one year after Cuomo stood firm against legalizing pot for medical use.