Call or email us anytime
(805) 484-0333
Search Guide
Today is Thursday, March 28, 2024 -

Industry Insights

Gelman: Governor Signs Executive Order Mandating Review of Medical Marijuana Policy

  • State: New Jersey
  • -  0 shares

Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Jan. 25 directing the New Jersey Department of Health and the Board of Medical Examiners to review the state’s medical marijuana program. The goal of the review is to eliminate barriers to access for patients who suffer from illnesses that could be treated with medical marijuana.

Jon L. Gelman

Jon L. Gelman

“We need to treat our residents with compassion,” Murphy said. “We cannot turn a deaf ear to our veterans, the families of children facing terminal illness, or to any of the other countless New Jerseyans who only wish to be treated like people, and not criminals. And, doctors deserve the ability to provide their patients with access to medical marijuana free of stigmatization.”

A New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Judge, Ingrid L. French, ordered that a marijuana prescription was the responsibility of a workers’ compensation insurance company (Watson v 84 Lumber).

The judge stated, “While the court is sensitive to the controversy surrounding the medicinal use of marijuana, whether or not it should be prescribed for a patient in a state where it is legal to prescribe it, is a medical decision that is within the boundaries of the laws in the State of New Jersey. In this case, there is no dispute that all of the credible evidence presented confirms that this petitioner is an appropriate candidate for New Jersey’s medical marijuana program.”

Currently, New Jersey limits marijuana prescriptions only to those who have certain state-approved conditions. Further, due to administrative barriers put in place by the Christie administration, New Jersey’s highly stringent rules mean countless residents who could benefit from medical marijuana are left out of the program. Current enrollees, more than 15,000, have access to only five dispensaries in operation in the state.

To combat lack of access, the executive order mandates that the Department of Health and Board of Medical Examiners complete the review of New Jersey’s medical marijuana program within 60 days. The order also requires that the review’s findings are submitted along with recommendations for new rules and regulations — or for the elimination of existing ones.

Another goal of the executive order and subsequent review is to eliminate the stigma that many doctors feel when prescribing medical marijuana. That issue is exacerbated by state law requiring medical professionals to publicly register in order to become certified prescribers of medicinal marijuana.

“Many aspects of New Jersey’s medical marijuana program are written in statute,” Murphy said. “But our law is 8 years old. Since it took effect, significant medical research has been conducted. Our goal is to modernize the program in New Jersey, bring it up to current standards, and put patients first.”

The current law was approved by the Legislature and enacted in January 2010.
Murphy said he remains committed to working with the New Jersey Legislature to pass comprehensive marijuana reform.

Claimants' attorney Jon L. Gelman is the author of "New Jersey Workers’ Compensation Law" and co-author of the national treatise "Modern Workers’ Compensation Law." He is based in Wayne, New Jersey. This blog post is republished with permission.

No Comments

Log in to post a comment

Close


Do not post libelous remarks. You are solely responsible for the postings you input. By posting here you agree to hold harmless and indemnify WorkCompCentral for any damages and actions your post may cause.

Advertisements

Upcoming Events

  • May 13-15, 2024

    NCCI's Annual Insights Symposi

    Join us May 13–15, 2024, for NCCI's Annual Insights Symposium (AIS) 2024, the industry’s premier e …

  • Jul 29 – Aug 2, 2024

    76th Annual SAWCA Convention

    SAVE THE DATE! 76th Annual SAWCA Convention July 29 – August 2, 2024 Hotel Effie Sandestin 1 Grand …

  • Aug 14-17, 2024

    CSIMS 2024 Annual Dual Track C

    California Society of Industrial Medicine and Surgery (CSIMS) is combining its two conferences, PI …

Workers' Compensation Events

Social Media Links


WorkCompCentral
c/o Business Insurance Holdings, Inc.
PO Box 1010
Greenwich, CT 06836
(805) 484-0333