Health Commissioner Howard Zucker says more than 10,500 New York medical marijuana patients have been certified by more than 740 registered physicians to date. Pictured: A jar of medical marijuana is on display at Colorado dispensary Herb's Medicinals in February 2012. (AAron Ontiveroz, Denver Post file)

New York patients seeking OK for medical marijuana just got more options

ALBANY, N.Y. — The state Health Department says it has filed amendments to medical marijuana regulations to authorize nurse practitioners and physician assistants to certify patients for medical marijuana.

Health Commissioner Howard Zucker says more than 10,500 patients have been certified by more than 740 registered physicians to date. Allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to certify patients is intended to improve patient access.

The agency says it’s continuing its review of using medical marijuana for chronic pain and a decision is expected by the end of the month.