Opioid Abuse May Soon Qualify For Medical Marijuana In New Jersey

It’s been less than a year since New Jersey expanded the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, doubling the number of patients throughout the state and providing relief for people suffering from anxiety, migraines, Tourette's Syndrome and chronic pain. Now, there may be a new way to qualify for medical marijuana on the horizon: opioid addiction.

On Monday, the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) announced that it’s exploring the addition of “opioid use disorder” as an independent qualifying condition for the state’s medical cannabis program.

“Studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between the availability of medical marijuana and a reduction in opioid prescriptions,” DOH officials stated in a news release.

Opioids are on track to cause 3,000 deaths in New Jersey this year. About 3.2 million opioid prescriptions were written between Jan. 1 and Sept. 27, DOH officials stated.

State Health Commissioner Shereef Elnahal told Patch that it’s currently possible for residents of New Jersey to replace their opioids with medical marijuana under the “chronic pain” qualifier. The catch, however, is that the medical marijuana has to be targeted towards the condition causing their pain… not the opioids used to treat it.

But under the potential new regulations, people hooked on opioids could qualify for medical marijuana, as long as they’re also enrolled in a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program with a doctor certified by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program.

With the aid of MAT – a combination of drugs such as buprenorphine and behavioral therapy such as counseling – medical marijuana can be a big help in kicking a potentially lethal addiction, Elnahal said.

DOH officials are hoping to put the new qualifying condition before the state’s Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel sometime in November. Although a meeting date isn’t set yet, officials are hoping to come to a decision soon, he said.

“The opioid epidemic is only getting worse in New Jersey,” Elnahal said. “Our first priority is to expand MAT as much as possible. But we think that medical marijuana can help get even more individuals into recovery… that’s why we’re considering it.”

“It really works,” the commissioner added.

There are currently about 34,000 patients, 1,345 caregivers and 800 physicians participating in the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program. Over the past three months alone, the program has added 9,000 patients, DOH officials said Monday.

Learn more about the New Jersey medical marijuana program here, including information about how to sign up for the program, qualifying medical conditions and how to find a doctor. Consumers, physicians and anyone with questions about the program can email MMPquestions@doh.nj.gov.

• See related article: Rush For Medical Marijuana In NJ After New Conditions Approved
• See related article: FDA Calls Marijuana Ingredient 'Beneficial,' Wants To Know More

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND OPIOID ADDICTION

Last year, the state’s Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel reached out to New Jersey residents and medical professionals, seeking personal testimony about the health-related benefits of cannabis. The board received an outpouring of replies from a diverse cross-section of Garden State residents, including passionate stories from a former baseball star, a U.S. Army veteran and an ex-manager at a Fortune 500 company.

Many said that cannabis has helped them to avoid the use of addictive opioids and other harsh pain medication. Read a few of their stories below.

• See related article: New Jersey Marijuana Patients Offer Human Side To Weed Debate

'TREATED LIKE I LIVE IN A NURSING HOME'
"It's hard for me to write because my hands can barely hold a pencil. The medications given to me cause long-term effects. Some have included blood clots, anxiety, mental instability, potential blindness, hair loss, skin conditions and extremely low immunity.

"I'm 21 and have to be treated like I live in a nursing home. My boyfriend has to dress me on my really painful days. I sometimes can't drive because I can't turn the wheel. I constantly get nauseous and get bad migraines to the point where I cannot stand. I cannot live alone; it would never be an option.

"I have been on seven or eight different medications since I was diagnosed in July of 2015. Nothing has helped me. Marijuana is the only medicine that helps my inflammation and headaches. How would you feel if you were in so much pain and no one took you seriously?"

'$100 PER PILL'

"15 years ago I got my first migraine. I am 46-years-old. Prior to that, I had a very productive life and a great job as a manager of a large IT department at a Fortune 500 company. At 32, I had a problem with uterine fibroid tumors and became very anemic for a few months. During that time, the migraines began and within a few weeks, they were non-stop, every day, every night. I had to quit my job because of my condition and haven't been able to work since.

"Marijuana is something that I may be able to use instead of taking an opiate. The marinol pill, which is straight THC, gave me so much relief that I was able to stave off dangerous opiates while I used THC. It is an essential tool. I've been prescribed marinol once, but the cost is too high for me to take it regularly. It's about $100 per pill and I need two of them to stop the migraines and nausea. I don't have that kind of money.

"I have had two separate, very-well respected neurologists tell me 'marijuana can be very helpful.' However, they are both in New York state, where medical marijuana is legal for neurological pain."

SIDE EFFECTS: 'INCREASED APPETITE AND A POSITIVE OUTLOOK'

"I'm a 69-year-old male who has had the opportunity to live an active life. I graduated with a degree in business and a master's in social work administration. I retired some years ago from state service where I held a position in middle management. I am a family man with two daughters, both who I am proud to say have PhD's. My wife is a retired teacher; we have been married 37 years.

"I have been active in sports all my life. In high school, I was an all-state pitcher and had numerous professional teams and colleges expressing interest. I attended [college] under a baseball scholarship and spent a summer in the basin league for professional prospects. Unfortunately, an injury to my arm ended my professional aspirations.

"Then osteoarthritis struck... I'm becoming less active. No more tennis, golf, basketball, kayaking or biking. I've become more irritable. My life [has begun] to unravel and all of this is replaced by pain and surgeries… I'm a mess inside. I have constant pain, 24/7. I take non-steroidal and muscle relaxants daily which result in stomach ulcers, chronic diarrhea and liver/kidney issues. I'm scared to death of having to take the opiates that have been prescribed.

"I've had to turn to getting marijuana illegally so I can get relief from the pain of OA and medication side effects. So far, marijuana has helped me greatly. It is as effective as the anti-inflammatory drugs, and the only side effects are increased appetite and a positive outlook."

'AMAZING WHAT CANNABIS CAN DO'

"I have suffered from fibromyalgia for over 15 years. I have been in pain management for 15 years… I had surgeries without a fibro diagnosis yet in which the pain was so ill-managed that I literally felt like I was going to die.

"There are a handful of medications being offered that treat fibromyalgia. The first one I was on helped a little with the depression, but eventually it stopped working. Lyrica? OMG! I gained about 20 pounds on that and the side effects were horrible. Now I am currently on Savella and it has helped me to a degree, but I have horrible nausea and headaches from it… I have been on a large amount of opiates for 15 years now… I have slowly lowered them myself but am concerned about damage these medications may have done.

"I can't continue to live this way without medical marijuana to make the quality of my health better… I have used CBD oil, which is legal and that gives me a little relief and I have not encountered any side effects… It's so amazing what cannabis can do for the fibromyalgia sufferer. We, like anyone else, deserve a decent quality of life. If you have the power to help me please find it in your heart to do so."

'FORCED TO THE BLACK MARKET'
"I have had three back surgeries for lumbar disc ruptures. The last one in 2001 left me with severe nerve damage and scar tissue in my spine. I have tried all available methods to alleviate the chronic pain to live a somewhat normal life.

"Over the years, use of Tylenol damaged my liver. I now suffer from cirrhosis, even though I have never been a drinker. As soon as I was diagnosed with liver disease, I was taken off all pain medication and given methadone to manage my pain, as it is not metabolized in the liver. All other pain relievers are off-limits to me. [The methadone] works for me up to a point, but I am still constantly in pain.

"Chronic pain is a terrible thing. Sometimes I wake during the night because I hear moaning, only to find out that the moaning is coming from me. I have lived this way for many years, and it takes a toll.

"A couple of years ago, kind friends gave me some marijuana to try. I found it extremely helpful in reducing the amount of pain I suffer. It also relaxed me, making it easier for me to fall asleep and stay asleep… I hope marijuana use would also help me avoid increasing the amount of methadone I must take. My pain management specialist thought it might be helpful to me and sent me to a neurologist who is part of the medical marijuana program. He agreed that it would be helpful to me, but that chronic pain was not considered an acceptable use. Therefore, at the age of 69, if I want to use this product I am forced to deal with a criminal black market and subject myself to the possibility of prosecution to secure a substance which is legal in many other states."

'THE ONLY THING THAT SEEMS TO HELP'

"I have suffered from [late stage Lyme's Disease] for over 25 years with constant pain. I have severe back, hip and neck pain… I also suffer from chronic neurological pain throughout my body secondary to stage 3 Lyme's Disease. I wake up every day, barely able to move.

"I've utilized all different pain medications in the past. But in order to feel any relief I had to take so much it caused other issues… The only thing that seems to help is marijuana… I've tried it while visiting places such as California, Oregon and Colorado. It takes almost all the pain away for a period of a few hours. I was able to sleep and wake up pain-free."

'A BRIEF RESPITE FROM THE PAIN'

"Sciatica causes daily, everyday, chronic pain that radiates all the way from my lower back down to my big toe… Any simple activities such as walking, running and sitting are met with recurring pain from the nerve damage that is a result of sciatica. I especially have difficulty while at work, as my profession requires me to sit for long periods of time, which causes pain from the muscles and tendons being inactive… Sometimes the pain is too severe to even do anything or be involved with my family when I get home from work.

"I have often read that surgery is a feasible option… Unfortunately, the reality is that my wife and I simply do not make enough money… Opiod painkillers such as hydrocodone have proven to be troublesome as they bring an all-too-brief respite from the pain and lead to dependency issues and extreme lethargy throughout my daily routine.

"I prefer to use products containing the cannabinoids THC, CBD and CBN as non-addictive pain remedies that allow me to still be active and participate in my life."

ARMY VETERAN SUFFERING FROM BACK PAIN

"I have been suffering from back pain since the Army (2004). Due to back pain and sciatica pain, I am unable to sit or stand for a long period of time. I am also unable to walk for a long period of time. I find myself in bed most of the day…

"I have been taking oxycodone for the past three years. Taking the pill takes the pain away a little, however there are way too many side effects. I feel dizzy, sleepy, and it is not healthy taking these pills for so long… I have gone to chiropractors and treatment has been unsuccessful.

"My primary care doctor works for the [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs] and therefore cannot prescribe nor refer me [medical marijuana] due to VA regulations."

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