Matthew Hamilton reports in Capitol Confidential that the state Department of Health studied the beginning of the state-run medical marijuana program, and after nine months if recommending expansion. The report was released last week, and the story is unclear whether the Department of Health can instigate the recommendations on its own. The DOH said the recommendations were under review and it, “will advise on the next steps in the process and substance within the next two weeks.” So far, 6,415 patients in New York have been certified to be treated with medical marijuana and 656 doctors are registered to prescribe the drug. The report also noted that two local counties -- Dutchess and Ulster -- were among only four in the state with more than 100 medical marijuana patients. Read the full story in Capitol Confidential.