Those results track with the state’s Medicinal Marijuana Program. There are 854 doctors registered with the Department of Health to write orders for the 37,040 patients, according to Dec. 3 numbers provided by the state. There has been a more than 50 percent increase in the number of participating doctors since January.
“Legalized marijuana use – not only for medicinal purposes but for recreation, too – is likely to finally become law. We’ll also continue to see a greater infusion of private equity capital in medical practices here in New Jersey, and physicians who are looking to monetize their practices will see this wave of investment as a boost that will allow them to remain competitive,” says John Fanburg, Managing Member and Health Law Practice Chair.
In 2018, several hot-button issues emerged and physicians took notice. For example, when asked if the opioid crisis has impacted their prescribing practices, nearly 43 percent said they now prescribe them less often and suggest alternatives to their patients; another 30 percent said they are taking greater care to document patient and opioid prescription data in their electronic medical records. “While the vast majority of physicians have historically handled the prescribing of opioids in a responsible manner, the data shows that they take the current crisis very seriously,” according to Joseph M. Gorrell, a member in the Health Law practice.