Center of Excellence (CoE)

Advancing evidence-based cannabis care for healthcare providers and public health professionals

This page contains information on:

  • An introduction to the Office of Cannabis Management’s Center of Excellence
  • CoE’s purpose, objectives, and role in shaping the future of cannabis care
  • Information on different pathways for programs to participate and populations the CoE aims to serve

Overview

Millions of people in New York use cannabis, including many who manage chronic conditions or take other medications. Yet many patients rarely discuss cannabis use with their healthcare providers, and many providers lack trusted information to guide those conversations. Created under Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State initiative, the Center of Excellence for Cannabis Care and Health Equity was established to close that gap.
 

The Center educates healthcare providers and public health professionals about cannabis so they can better serve patients and support systems that protect and promote health. It advances this mission through research and public health collaboration, while centering health equity. It serves both the New York State Medical Cannabis Program and adult-use market, helping providers understand how cannabis affects health, enabling open, informed conversations with patients.

 

The launch event for the Center Of Excellence for Cannabis Care & Health Equity held at the Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. This first-in-the-nation initiative will support healthcare providers, public health professionals, and researchers through evidence-based cannabis education, research, and clinical resources to improve health outcomes across New York State. To learn more about the Center of Excellence, visit: cannabis.ny.gov/coe

Purpose

The Center of Excellence brings together healthcare providers, public health experts, and researchers to improve cannabis education and strengthen health outcomes across New York State. Through training, educational resources, and ongoing research, the Center helps healthcare practitioners understand cannabis pharmacology, safety, and patient communication. It supports public health professionals in incorporating cannabis considerations into core practice and it builds the data and research infrastructure needed to guide equitable policy and care. 

The Center’s mandate spans three interconnected workstreams:

  • Provider and public health education

  • Equitable access and navigation across Medical and Adult-Use Programs

  • Population health, surveillance and research capacity 

Our Partners

The Center of Excellence is a statewide collaboration between academic medical centers, schools of public health, and community partners, focused on clinical education, population health research, and community-based outreach to better understand how cannabis affects all New Yorkers.

The Center of Excellence also works closely with state health agencies including the Department of Health (DOH), Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), Office of Mental Health (OMH), and other state partners to strengthen education, improve patient support resources, and advance evidence-informed cannabis practice. 

Statewide Academic Medical Centers & Public Health Partnerships

coe list of partnerships

  • SUNY Upstate Medical University 

  • Stony Brook Medicine   

  • Albany Medical Center 

  • NYITCOM — New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine 

  • University of Rochester Medical Center 

  • CUNY School of Public Health 

  • University of Albany College of Integrated Health Sciences  

What’s Next

The Center of Excellence will expand educational grand rounds programs across partner institutions and launch new public education materials in coordination with state health agencies. It will strengthen research partnerships, and support studies focused on equitable access and health outcomes. These efforts will build a stronger, more informed public health and clinical framework for cannabis in New York State. 

Available Resources