Where can medical marijuana be used?
It’s a question many have asked since the program launched in New Jersey in 2013 under then-Gov. Chris Christie.
Those who have been asking have found ways to deal with the issue in different ways, sticking to internal discussions in hopes of flying under the radar.
Hospitals and long-term care facilities are among those asking, and have a renewed interest in the issue. Because of the expansion of the program, it exposes them to increased risk of violating federal laws, which could then jeopardize Medicare and other funding.
That’s because storage, handling or use of a federally banned drug would be a violation of federal law. Compliance with federal laws is required for federal funds through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Gov. Phil Murphy recently announced an increase by 10,000 patients, to a total of 25,000 patients since January, in the state’s program. Of the 25,000 participants in the program, 30 percent are ages 18-40, 45 percent are ages 41-60 and 25 percent are 61 and older.