to treat chronic pain without the use of opioids
is a very exciting prospect,” Varbaro says.
But some doctors are skeptical. Dr. Joe
Contreras, chair of the Institute of Pain and
Palliative Medicine at Hackensack University
Medical Center, tells his patients that evidence
for medical marijuana “is largely anecdotal. It
hasn’t undergone strong, vigorous scientific
experimentation. There is evidence of potential
benefits, including seizure disorders in pediatric
patients, and relief from pain, and nausea. But it’s
fairly weak, not strong scientific evidence.
“Consider this thought: What other drug do you
know that Americans are allowed to put into their
system that doesn’t undergo medical scrutiny?”
Meanwhile, because the federal government has
classified marijuana a s an illegal substance, it has
been difficult for pharmaceutical companies to
conduct research into its efficacy and safety. “I
honestly believe there are hidden medicinal
qualities in marijuana that cannot be duplicated
by pharmaceutical labs,” Silverman says. “You
can synthetize the THC and other active
ingredients, but I prefer the ability to naturally
extract those products.”
Murphy has also vowed to legalize recreational
marijuana for adults in New Jersey before the end
of 2018 and is working to get support among
lawmakers. So far this year, the state Assembly
has held hearings about the pros and cons of
legalizing recreational pot for adults, and two
lawmakers have introduced plans with basic
details about legal amounts, commercial pot
growers and sellers, and state regulation of a
recreational marijuana industry.
Marijuana vs. opioid addiction
Dr. Kenneth Park, a pain management specialist
at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, says
medical marijuana “is not a panacea for all pain
conditions, and there is very limited moderate-to-
strong level data for the treatment of chronic pain
conditions. But it may help reduce the need for
opioid pain medication in the right setting; data
shows medical marijuana is less life-threatening
than opioids.”
Dr. Richard Rosenbluth, director of the Pain and
Palliative Care department at Holy Name Medical
Center in Teaneck, says he has patients who
have been able to stop opioids because medicinal
marijuana relieved their symptoms. Like Park,
Rosenbluth notes that the benefits of medicinal
marijuana vary from patient to patient.
“The human organism is complex, and no drug
works for everyone,” he says. “It may not be any
worse, but certainly no better than other drugs
in terms of effectiveness. We are complicated
molecular structures with all sorts of influences
on us, and it’s satisfying to know that it works in
enough of us.”
According to Park, “It’s important to remember
that each patient is different. What’s suitable for
one may not be for another.” Patients who have
found medicinal marijuana most beneficial include
those with multiple sclerosis (MS), terminal illness,
and some forms of chronic pain, he says. “Age
is not a factor for evaluation, but may be for
treatment,” Park adds. “Patients finding the
most benefit tend to be on the older end of the
spectrum, where there is a higher incidence of
chronic illness.”
Rosenbluth has had success treating patients
with medicinal marijuana in Holy Name’s
nationally recognized MS program. “It happens
to be a condition through which medicinal
marijuana is a godsend,” he says.
One of his MS patients says she still takes
traditional prescription medications to relieve
cramping and stiffness from the disabling disease,
but has relied on medicinal marijuana via a
vaporizer for the past two years to help with other
symptoms. One strain she takes during the day
“makes me feel less tired, less sluggish, and more
alert,” she says, adding that a different strain she
takes right before bed contains a higher level of
THC “which lets me sleep much better.” ❖
QUALIFYING FOR
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
PROGRAM
Entering the New Jersey
Department of Health’s
medicinal marijuana program
involves a multi-step process:
1
The patient must have a
qualifying condition —
mostly chronic and
debilitating, such as epilepsy,
ALS, terminal cancer or other
terminal illnesses, Crohn’s
disease, migraine, anxiety, or
severe vomiting from AIDS or
cancer treatment.
2
The patient must have a
bona fide relationship
with an approved
physician, who must certify
that the patient has one of
the debilitating conditions.
3
The patient (or
caregiver, in certain
cases) must provide
information, proof of ID and
$100 payment (reduced to
$20 for veterans, seniors, and
individuals receiving
government assistance).
4
Once the patient’s
name is added to the
state registry, medicinal
marijuana can be obtained at
one of five alternative
treatment centers, located in
Montclair, Woodbridge,
Cranbury, Bellmawr and Egg
Harbor Township. A sixth one
is scheduled to open in
Secaucus.
(201) HEALTH | 2018 EDITION
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