It's tough to find a doctor in New York who will recommend medical marijuana.

At the one-year anniversary of the drug being legally available in the state, more than 800 physicians are registered to certify patients to purchase medical cannabis in 19 dispensaries, including three in Albany County.

But over the past year, patients and advocates have consistently complained that finding a registered doctor can be a huge challenge, on top of having a debilitating condition that qualifies them to try the medicine in the first place. A key problem is there's no way for patients to look up a list of registered doctors. Only other doctors can do that.

I was one of the first to commend Governor Andrew Cuomo on a job well done when he passed the medical marijuana law in New York State, but I have since been so disappointed in his handling, or mishandling, of this very issue. The governor does not seem to understand that it is a not only morally wrong but it is also negligent to pass a law like this and then simply wash your hands of the subject.

Medical marijuana is officially legal in Florida. Supported by 71 percent of voters in the November election, Amendment 2 allows the use of full-strength marijuana for an array of diseases and conditions. It's now up to the Legislature and the Florida Department of Health to establish a functional framework for producing and distributing the drug to patients in pain — and there should be no stonewalling in Tallahassee.

Orange County is telling its employees: forget Florida’s new medical marijuana law. If we find out you’ve used any kind of marijuana, you’re fired.

The county sent a memo to its workers stating "the use of marijuana in any form continues to be prohibited by federal law and county policy." County officials said it all boils down to money.

The county gets financial incentives from the state for earning the title "drug-free" workplace. If they allow workers to use medical marijuana that money goes away. County workers we spoke with say they're resigned to the reality.

“It's the policy of the county,” says county employee Ron Branch, “if you want to work here, you've got to comply with the policies. That's the way I feel about it.”

According to the American Cancer Society, “Half of cigarette users will die because they smoke. Six million people die every year because of tobacco. This figure includes five million smokers, but also about 600,000 non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke. It is expected that, without any action, eight million people will die annually, by 2030.”

Certified nurse practitioners would be allowed to authorize medical marijuana use by patients under new rules proposed by Massachusetts health officials.

Public hearings on that and other revisions to the medical marijuana program are scheduled on Tuesday in Boston and on Thursday in Holyoke.

Under current rules, patients need permission from their doctors before they can register to use pot for certain medical condition. Under the proposed new rule, nurse practitioners could provide certification, although a physician must still certify use by any minor.

Another proposed change would allow caregiving institutions to register with the state to administer medical marijuana, rather than forcing each employee to register separately.

Dr. Barry Gordon is prepared for a very busy week at his practice. On Tuesday, his doors will open for patients who want to qualify for medical marijuana.

After working as an ER doctor in Ohio for 32 years, Gordon retired to Venice.  He opened Physicians Advanced Laser Center, removing tattoos and operating as a telemedicine doctor.

When he saw the push for medical marijuana in Florida, he believed he could help.

"I felt that this was my one last big battle that I could do," he said.   "One of the reasons why I feel so comfortable undertaking this new career is I've really seen drug abuse from all the different angles and that's not what cannabis is about."

In 2016 Ohio legalized Marijuana. Now in 2017 we are hoping to learn more about what that really means.

It won't be until at least September of 2018 before the program is expected to be in full swing.

The Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee has already had it's initial meetings, and it's addressing several issues right now, including if 40 dispensaries is enough to serve Ohioans in 88 counties.

Democrat Joe Schiavoni is the Senate Minority Leader, "Now the Department of Pharmacy has actually made recommendations about how many dispensaries and who can dispense medicinal marijuana, and where it's going to be grown."

Legal access to cannabis in Spain, where the plant remains in a legal gray zone, is still a ways over the horizon, but medical patients in country are hopeful change is underway. Developments such as a new national observatory centered on medical applications of cannabinoids and initiatives like the CannabMed conference in Barcelona are adding to the country’s cannabis knowledge base, empowering patients and health care professionals, and highlighting the need for reform of medical cannabis legislation.

Some marijuana users in Colorado are experiencing a mysterious illness. 

And while it hasn't reached California It could eventually make its way here.  

Recreational use of the drug has been legal in Colorado for three years.

And its use for medical purposes has been allowed for even longer. 

But one emergency room doctor says he's seeing an increase of patients with specific cannabis-related symptoms such as recurring nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. 

He believes it occurs among those who consume large amounts of the drug. 

Doctors say moderation is key when it comes to marijuana use. 

Dispensary owners agree and say if taken correctly marijuana can help relieve medical conditions such as seizures and pain management.