New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal told hospital administrators, doctors, nurses, social workers and others at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus about how medical marijuana is a safe and effective treatment that should be considered as a tool in care.
“I hope I can convince more physicians to at least participate or consider enrolling in this program,” he said at the city hospital Wednesday.
There are more than 39,200 state residents in the program with 874 doctors participating,” according to the most recent state data. That means there is about one doctor for every 45 patients seeking medical marijuana for qualified conditions.
In the last year, more health conditions have been added, dispensaries can now add satellite locations, another six dispensaries were recently approved—including one for Atlantic City—and annual program costs were lowered, making it easier and more appealing for people to join.