New York joins the growing list of states that allow medical marijuana use for those afflicted with diseases and other health problems.

Despite failing to pass through the state senate five times before, the New York Senate finally approved a bill that legalized marijuana for medical use under a set of peculiar rules. Unlike the other more than 20 states that allow medical marijuana, the New York law forbids the smoking of the plant but rather allows for oils, teas, edibles, and inhaling the vapors.

The legislature and Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) announced they had reached a deal on Thursday to allow for a pilot program to move forward, despite Governor Cuomo's desire for a more restrictive system that was criticized earlier this year. The new proposal includes Cuomo's demand that marijuana not be smoked, according to the New York Times.

"There are certainly significant medical benefits that can be garnered; at the same time, it's a difficult issue because there are also risks that have to be averted," Mr. Cuomo said, mentioning safety and law enforcement concerns. "We believe this bill strikes the right balance."

According to Governor Cuomo, the State Health Department will oversee the roll out of the law and will create its rules. There is also a clause within the law that grants the agency the ability to shut down the program at any time. However, the law will only apply to people suffering from certain diseases like AIDS, cancer, epilepsy and several serious degenerative conditions.

The Health Department has 18 months to establish regulations before the law goes into effect. Five organizations, businesses and nonprofits, will be allowed to sell the drug in up to four establishments each around the state. All of the marijuana used will be grown in state and will be taxed at 7 percent.

"New York has finally done something significant for thousands of patients who are suffering and need relief now. They will benefit from this compromise," said Gabriel Sayegh, the director of Drug Policy Alliance, an advocacy group. "That said, this is not the bill we wanted."

The bill will be up for renewal in seven years, giving legislators the option to stop it then.