ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York State health officials on Friday announced the companies selected to operate medical marijuana dispensaries.
The five grow sites will be located in Queens, Monroe County, Fulton County, Warren County, and Orange County. Forty-three companies applied.
Under a law passed last year, the state will now allow no more than five groups the rights to grow and dispense the drug. Each of those companies can have up to four dispensaries all across New York State.
State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said New York's law is stringent to avoid a battle with Washington, which still considers marijuana a prohibited drug.
Patients with certain diseases, including cancer, AIDS, Lou Gehrig's disease, and epilepsy, will be allowed to get prescriptions to obtain forms of the drug that are edible or vaporized, but not smoked.
The program is expected to begin next year.