Medical marijuana may become an option for those in New Jersey who suffer from chronic pain, thanks to some emotional testimony that took place before a Health Department advisory panel at the War Memorial last Wednesday. The measure would expand the standing list of about a dozen ailments that already qualify for treatment using therapeutic cannabis, which includes terminal cancer, MS, and epilepsy.
During the three-hour hearing, more than 20 patients testified after submitting petitions, references to health studies, and even their own doctor’s recommendations. The Health Department says it received 68 requests last year for about 20 new conditions to be considered, including lupus, autism, osteoarthritis, and opioid addiction disorder.
Chairing the panel is a professor of anesthesiology, Alex Bekker, who states, “I feel there is sufficient evidence to add chronic pain and migraines and fibromyalgia, all under the one umbrella of chronic pain.” Bekker feels optimistic about his panel being for the measure and that adding chronic pain to the list will have more benefit than risk. He conceded the drug’s palliative effects, confirming that there is “sufficient evidence. . . .that marijuana can be very helpful” for any chronic pain.
The panel now has 60 days to submit their report that Bekker, followed by a five-month public review session. Once that is through, a final determination from DOH Commissioner Cathleen Bennett will come sometime in October. The New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program is now seven years old, but this is the first time that the panel held a public forum to discuss adding new conditions.
On the eight month waiting period, Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), chairman of the Health Committee, says “That’s far too long when evidence from other states is clear on the efficacy of treating (chronic pain from) certain disorders and diseases.”
