New Jersey OKs Medical Marijuana Prescriptions Via Telehealth
The state Attorney General's office has waived the requirement for an in-person exam prior to using telehealth to prescribe, dispense or administer medical marijuana during the COVID-19 emergency.
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- New Jersey state officials have expanded telehealth guidelines to enable providers to remotely prescribe medical marijuana during the coronavirus pandemic.
An Administrative Order issued this week by the state Attorney’s General’s Division of Consumer Affairs temporarily waives the requirement for an in-person exam before providers can use connected health channels to prescribe, dispense or administer certain controlled dangerous substances (CDS), such as medical marijuana, for the treatment of chronic pain. The order remains in effect for the duration of the public health emergency.
“New Jersey health care practices are again offering in-person services, but telehealth remains an important option for patients and providers,” Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said in a press release. “Today, we are 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. Doctors who use telemedicine to prescribe CDS or authorize medical marijuana will be held to the same professional standards as for in-person visits and must comply with all of the important safeguards we have adopted to prevent diversion and misuse.”