The New Jersey Legislature has approved a bill that would allow doctors to use telemedicine to recommend medical cannabis to their patients, according to a Cape May County Herald report.
The bill, A-1635/S-619, cleared the Assembly in a 68-6-3 vote Sept. 24 after previously passing the Senate in a 36-1 vote, the news outlet reported.
The legislation would allow certain patients with limited access to in-office consultations to receive medical cannabis recommendations from their doctors via telemedicine, according to the Cape May County Herald. Other patients would be required to attend one in-office consultation but could then have future recommendations renewed using telemedicine, the news outlet reported.
“The pain relief, muscle relaxation, nausea prevention and anxiety reduction of medical marijuana are too important to the people suffering from severe medical conditions to be hindered by in-person doctor visitation requirements,” the bill’s sponsors, Assemblywomen Pamela Lampitt (D-6th) and Joann Downey (D-11th) said in a public statement. “This bill will utilize today’s technology to help provide easier access to this beneficial medication on behalf of the people who need it the most."
