Doctor Sandita provides physician-led medical cannabis evaluations and certifications for eligible patients in New York State.

Our goal is simple: make the process clear, respectful, affordable, and personalized—without judgment or unnecessary confusion.

Dr. Sandita Seecharan, MD, MBA, FAAFP, is a dual board-certified Family Medicine and Geriatric Medicine physician.

Her approach considers the whole person—not simply a diagnosis—including medical history, medications, symptoms, function, lifestyle, and individual treatment goals.

New York’s medical cannabis program allows a certifying healthcare provider to determine whether medical cannabis may be appropriate for a patient’s condition.

Eligibility is therefore not limited to a short list of specific diagnoses.

Your individual medical history, symptoms, current treatments, potential risks, and treatment goals are reviewed during your consultation.

Your appointment is a medical evaluation—not simply a certification transaction.

Depending on your individual situation, the visit may include:

• Review of your medical conditions and symptoms

• Current medications and treatments

• Previous cannabis experience, if any

• Potential medication or health considerations

• Discussion of possible benefits, limitations, and risks

• Education regarding available formulations and routes of administration

• Guidance on responsible use

• Determination of whether medical cannabis certification is medically appropriate

You will also have an opportunity to ask questions.

No.

Medical cannabis certification is based on the physician’s clinical assessment. Completing an appointment or paying for an evaluation does not guarantee that certification will be issued.

Patient safety and appropriate medical care come first.

Yes. Eligible New York patients may be evaluated through telemedicine when clinically appropriate.

This can make the certification process more convenient for patients who have transportation difficulties, busy schedules, mobility limitations, or live farther away.

We believe finances should not automatically prevent someone from accessing a medical evaluation.

Doctor Sandita offers an income-based fee structure using Federal Poverty Level (FPL) guidelines:

How much does a medical cannabis evaluation cost?

Doctor Sandita offers an income-based pricing structure using your household’s Federal Poverty Level (FPL) percentage.

All rates below are for a one-year medical cannabis certification:

$200 — Standard Rate

Household income at 400% FPL or higher

$100 — Reduced Rate

Household income from 100%–399% FPL

$75 — Financial Assistance Rate

Household income below 100% FPL

Returning Patient Discount

Returning patients receive a 25% discount on their annual recertification fee.

Based on the current pricing tiers, this means:

• $200 → $150

• $100 → $75

• $75 → $56.25

How do I determine my Federal Poverty Level?

Use FPLCalculator.com to calculate your Federal Poverty Level percentage based on your household income and household size.

After calculating your FPL percentage, use the pricing tiers above to determine your evaluation fee.

Please calculate your FPL before scheduling if you are requesting a reduced-rate appointment.

Our goal is to provide transparent, accessible, physician-led medical cannabis evaluations with reduced pricing based on financial need.

Income eligibility may be estimated using the FPL Calculator.

Yes.

A $100 military rate is available as part of our commitment to making care more accessible to veterans and military families.

Please ask about eligibility when scheduling.

Medical certification provides something recreational purchasing does not: medical oversight.

A physician can consider your health conditions, medications, age, potential drug interactions, treatment goals, and risks when discussing cannabis.

Participation in New York’s medical cannabis program may also provide certain benefits available specifically to certified patients under current state rules.

New York’s program has evolved from the traditional physical medical marijuana card system.

Once certified, patients follow the current New York State process for accessing registered medical cannabis dispensaries. Instructions can be reviewed with you after certification.

Potentially—but older adults deserve particularly thoughtful evaluation.

As a geriatrician, Dr. Seecharan considers issues such as:

Falls • dizziness • cognition • medication interactions • blood pressure • frailty • kidney/liver function • polypharmacy

The goal is not simply to recommend cannabis. The goal is to determine whether it makes sense for you.

Some patients explore medical cannabis as part of a broader strategy for managing chronic symptoms, including pain.

However, cannabis affects individuals differently and is not appropriate for everyone.

Your consultation focuses on potential benefits and risks rather than presenting cannabis as a cure-all.

Education may include discussion of cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, routes of administration, formulations, and general principles of safer use.

Specific recommendations depend on your medical circumstances and the scope of the clinical evaluation.

That’s completely fine.

In fact, this is one reason a medical consultation can be valuable.

Your visit provides an opportunity to understand terminology, formulations, potential effects, safety considerations, and questions to ask before making decisions.

Not necessarily.

Cannabis products vary considerably in THC and CBD content and in how they affect an individual. THC is primarily responsible for intoxicating effects.

Medical cannabis care does not necessarily mean seeking intoxication. The objective is thoughtful symptom management while minimizing unwanted effects.

Yes.

Possible effects can include dizziness, sedation, impaired coordination, changes in attention or memory, anxiety, increased heart rate, dry mouth, and other effects.

Cannabis can also interact with medications and may be inappropriate for certain individuals.

These are important reasons to discuss cannabis with a qualified healthcare professional.

Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform safety-sensitive activities while impaired by cannabis.

Medical certification does not make impaired driving legal.

No.

Medical cannabis evaluation should complement—not replace—appropriate primary and specialty medical care.

Patients should continue routine medical care and prescribed treatment unless changes are discussed with the appropriate healthcare professional.

Medical consultations and health information are handled in accordance with applicable healthcare privacy requirements.

Your health concerns should be something you can discuss openly and respectfully.

When available, please have:

• Photo identification

• Current medication and supplement list

• Relevant diagnoses or medical history

• Relevant medical records, if requested

• Previous cannabis experience, if applicable

• Questions you would like to discuss

Having accurate information helps make your consultation more useful.