The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has announced the launch of the Center of Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to strengthen clinician education, expand cannabis research, and improve patient care throughout New York. The program was unveiled as part of Governor Kathy Hochul's 2026 State of the State agenda and reflects New York's continued emphasis on a public health-centered approach to cannabis regulation.
The Center of Excellence aims to equip healthcare providers with evidence-based educational resources as cannabis use becomes increasingly common across both medical and adult-use markets. By strengthening communication between clinicians and patients, state officials hope to improve health outcomes while ensuring providers have access to the latest scientific research and clinical guidance.
"As outlined in my State of the State, New York is committed to building a cannabis framework rooted in public health and safety," Governor Kathy 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."
According to OCM Executive Director John Kagia, the initiative reflects the agency's commitment to building a cannabis framework grounded in public health, safety, and equity.
"The Center of Excellence reflects OCM's commitment to creating a framework grounded in public health, safety, and equity," Kagia said. "We are now able to support clinician education and strengthen patient-provider communication while further expanding equitable access to the comprehensive care patients deserve."
Building Cannabis Education Across New York
The Center of Excellence will launch through a pilot program involving several of New York's leading academic and healthcare institutions, including:
- Albany Medical Center
- SUNY Upstate Medical University
- Stony Brook Medicine
- University of Rochester Medical Center
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine
- CUNY School of Public Health
- University at Albany College of Integrated Health Sciences
- New York State Office of Mental Health
Participating institutions will evaluate educational strategies designed to improve clinician engagement while developing programs that can be expanded statewide. The curriculum will include Grand Rounds presentations, clinical webinars built around real-world patient scenarios, and specialty-specific educational toolkits covering pediatrics, OB-GYN, primary care, pain management, palliative care, and emergency medicine.
The initiative also incorporates public health education by creating internship opportunities and collaborating with graduate programs to prepare future healthcare professionals for the evolving cannabis landscape.
Expanding Research and Health Equity
Dr. June Chin, Chief Medical Officer at OCM, emphasized that legalization marked the beginning—not the end—of building a comprehensive public health framework around cannabis.
"Legalization was not the finish line—it was the starting point for building a public health framework," Chin said. "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. At its core, this work is about health equity and ensuring that all communities have access to informed, safe, and culturally responsive care."
To further support the initiative, OCM has issued a Request for Proposals seeking organizations to develop additional online clinician training covering the endocannabinoid system, cannabis science, consumer health, medical cannabis, and health equity. The courses are intended to provide standardized, research-informed education for physicians, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals throughout New York.
As New York's regulated cannabis market continues to mature, state officials say the Center of Excellence represents an important investment in evidence-based education, patient safety, and equitable healthcare, while positioning New York as a national leader in cannabis medicine and public health innovation.
