The NJ Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel has recommended additional conditions for inclusion in the state’s Medicinal Marijuana Program
The New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel (MMRP) has recently recommended that the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) qualify numerous additional conditions for inclusion in the state’s Medicinal Marijuana Program.
To participate in the program, a patient must suffer from an approved debilitating medical condition. The current list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana includes, among others, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Multiple Sclerosis, terminal cancer, muscular dystrophy, inflammatory bowel disease, certain terminal illnesses, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
On July 21, the MMRP recommended that the Commissioner qualify dozens of additional debilitating conditions falling within the categories of chronic pain, migraine, anxiety, and Tourette’s Syndrome for inclusion in the State’s medicinal marijuana program. Among others, these specific conditions include spinal stenosis, neuropathic pain, arthritis, opioid use disorder, and fibromyalgia/osteoarthritis. The MMRP recommended against the inclusion of conditions related to the categories of asthma and chronic fatigue.
In making its recommendations, the MMRP reviewed 45 petitions and the following factors:
The extent to which the condition is generally accepted by the medical community and other experts as a valid, existing medical condition;
If one or more treatments of the condition, rather than the condition itself, are alleged to be the cause of the patient’s suffering, the extent to which the treatments causing suffering are generally accepted by the medical community and other experts as valid treatments for the condition;
The extent to which the condition itself and/or the treatments thereof cause severe suffering such as severe and/or chronic pain, severe nausea and/or vomiting, or otherwise severely impair the patient’s ability to carry on activities of daily living;
The availability of conventional medical therapies other than those that cause suffering to alleviate suffering caused by the condition and/or the treatment thereof;
The extent to which evidence that is generally accepted among the medical community and other experts supports a finding that the use of marijuana alleviates suffering caused by the condition and/or the treatment thereof; and
Letters of support from physicians or other licensed health care professionals knowledgeable about the condition.
The Department of Health will accept public comments regarding the MMRP’s recommendations until Monday, September 25, 2017. Comments must be emailed or postmarked by that date and can be delivered electronically at mmp.administrator@doh.nj.gov or by mail to NJ Department of Health, Medicinal Marijuana Program, PO Box 360, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360, Attn: Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel.
This article is a part of a series pertaining to cannabis legalization in New Jersey and the United States at large. Prior articles in this series are below:
If you have any questions or if you would like to discuss the matter further, please contact me, Dan McKillop, at 201-806-3364.
Disclaimer: Possession, use, distribution, and/or sale of cannabis is a Federal crime and is subject to related Federal policy. Legal advice provided by Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC is designed to counsel clients regarding the validity, scope, meaning, and application of existing and/or proposed cannabis law. Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC will not provide assistance in circumventing Federal or state cannabis law or policy, and advice provided by our office should not be construed as such.
Portability of estate and gift tax enables a surviving spouse to inherit any unused portion of their deceased spouse’s federal estate and gift tax exemption. So, if one spouse doesn’t utilize their full exemption, the surviving spouse can effectively double their exemption amount with regard to estate tax liability. For married couples, portability offers a […]
Pet Trusts in New Jersey and New York: A Practical Estate Planning Tool
For many of us, pets are more than companions—they are members of the family. Yet they are often overlooked or inadequately provided for when it comes to estate planning. A pet trust offers a legally enforceable way to ensure that your animal continues to receive proper care if you become incapacitated or pass away. As […]
For many New Jersey business owners, a closely held company represents decades of work, financial investment, and personal sacrifice. Trusts in business succession planning are one of the most effective tools for protecting that value, allowing founders to control how and when the business passes to the next generation while reducing the risk of disputes, […]
Read Before You Sign: IT Contract Pitfalls Every NJ Business Should Know
In today’s digital economy, New Jersey businesses of all sizes rely heavily on technology vendors, software providers, cloud platforms, and managed IT services. Whether your company is purchasing software, migrating data to the cloud, engaging a cybersecurity consultant, or entering into a long-term managed services agreement, a careful IT contract review can have significant operational, […]
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) remain a critical tool for protecting sensitive business information. However, New York NDA requirements have evolved, and businesses must ensure these agreements are carefully drafted to remain enforceable. In a competitive market like New York City, NDAs are commonly used to protect proprietary information, client relationships, and strategic plans. At the same […]
How Courts Evaluate Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence Will contests in New Jersey are difficult to win, given the strong presumption that a properly executed will reflects the testator’s intent. However, challenges based on lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence remain common, particularly where there are concerns about mental capacity or the involvement of […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
