(201) Health 2018 Edition | Page 33

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 31