In a landmark move for cannabis access through telehealth services nationwide, New Jersey residents can now get approved for medical cannabis and other controlled substances in digital visits due to the restrictions placed on healthcare by the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare professionals can now set up virtual appointments in order to prescribe medical cannabis to patients, or other controlled substances such as painkillers.
On these videos, as specified by state law, providers must discuss both risks and benefits of opiates and alternatives, give all necessary information about medical cannabis, check in with the Prescription Monitoring Program for anything they prescribe, and only give out a five-day supply for acute pain diagnoses when opiates are concerned. In short, doctors will be held to the same standards they have to answer to when prescribing to patients in person.
“New Jersey health care practices are again offering in-person services, but telehealth remains an important option for patients and providers,” said Attorney General Gurbir Grewal regarding this new ruling. “Today, we’re making it easier for patients to choose telehealth services for any reason, including to avoid an in-person visit due to the continuing risk of COVID-19.”
The Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) claims that this new policy is a new effort to comply with the state-mandated directive that suggests telemedicine as the preferred alternative to in-person care when possible, in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. The governor would like to see as many healthcare visits as possible take place over video in order to lessen strain on medical personnel.