medical marijuana leaf telehealth medical marijuana patients

A telehealth bill whereby NJ medical marijuana patients can speak with a doctor remotely passed the New Jersey State Senate by a near-unanimous vote. 

Only Senator Michael Doherty (R-Warren), who is known for his conservative views, opposed it.

Telehealth Medicine for Medical Cannabis

Telehealth medicine means patients can speak with a doctor either by telephone or a video conference call instead of going to the doctor’s office. This legislation is especially good for patients who cannot travel easily due to their illness, along with the cost associated with travel. It improves patient care. Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) was the sole Senate sponsor. 

“Those who rely on medical cannabis to treat their conditions will benefit from more convenient and less expensive digital doctors’ appointments,” said Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth), who sponsored the bill. “Utilizing available technology is a practical approach that will improve the health and wellness of eligible New Jersey residents.”

In devising the bill, he consulted with the Coalition of Medical Marijuana for New Jersey (CMMNJ) Executive Director Ken Wolski and board member Gaetano Lardieri for advice, who suggested the bill include those in nursing homes. It subsequently was.

The bill has yet to receive a hearing in the Assembly’s Health and Senior Services Committee. It is sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblywomen Joann Doney (D-Monmouth) and Pam Lampitt (D-Mercer). But given that it passed the Senate fairly quickly, it is likely it will not require the Herculean effort adult cannabis use needed.

If signed into law, it is supposed to take effect immediately. However, for the first 270 days (nine months) only patients who are in long-term care facilities, hospice patients, the terminally ill, and those who are officially homebound could take advantage of this. After that period, other patients could have a telemedicine appointment after an initial in-person visit to the doctor’s office.

It is exceedingly expensive for NJ medical marijuana patients. The initial consultation cost between $250 and $300, and an ounce of good NJ medical marijuana retails for around $300.

NJ Medical Marijuana Patients and O’Scanlon

Many hoped O’Scanlon would help pass adult-use legalization in the Senate, but he ultimately did not. However, he has been a proponent of medical marijuana (or medical cannabis) and was a leader in the fight to pass the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act. 

“Brave, beautiful Jake benefitted tremendously from medical marijuana. His legacy paved the way for the expansion of the medical program. That legacy lives on, influencing this law too!” O’Scanlon said.

We’ll see how the implementation of the telehealth bill goes.

There has not even been a rumor regarding the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC), which was passed as a provision of the Jake Honig Act for months. The CRC is supposed to regulate the industry.

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Dan Ulloa
Dan Ulloa is the Editor and Publisher of Heady NJ, with a background in politics, journalism, and a passion for the cannabis community. He curates and publishes news, events, and insights on the industry. Dan has been a leading voice in the New Jersey cannabis scene, educating and informing the public about this rapidly evolving industry. He ranked #35 on the INSIDER NJ Cannabis Power List out of 100 in 2022.