Governor Cuomo has signed legislation that will make it illegal to lease companion animals in New York. The practice of leasing companion animals had resulted in balloon payments and predatory interest rates that some pet owners couldn’t afford. As a result, pets were repossessed, traumatizing both the owners and their pets. The amended law will prohibit the use of a dog or a cat as security for payments in contracts and financing agreements with pet dealers.
Cuomo also signed legislation that adds acute pain management to the list of conditions for which medical marijuana can be recommended as an alternative to opioid use. The bill will also allow treatment providers to recommend medical marijuana to help patients manage underlying pain that contributes to the abuse of substances such as opioids. The bill will formalize into law a regulatory change that was implemented by the Department of Health earlier this year.
