It Takes Nearly 6 Months for New Jersey Patients to Get Their First Medical Marijuana Treatment
A survey of 240 new dispensary patients in New Jersey found that qualifying for medical marijuana took an average of nearly 6 months, with chronic pain and spasticity as the most common conditions, and over half were referred by their physicians.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Researchers surveyed 240 new patients at a New Jersey medical cannabis dispensary (Compassion Care Foundation) about their experience navigating the qualification process.
The most common qualifying conditions were intractable skeletal spasticity, chronic and severe pain, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. About half of patients were first prompted to seek medical marijuana by their physicians, while the other half cited written information, friends, family, media, or the internet.
Once patients began the qualification process, it took an average of nearly 6 months to receive their first treatment. Despite this lengthy process, patient satisfaction improved as they progressed through the steps. Patients reported moderately high pain levels prior to treatment.
Key Numbers
240 patients surveyed. Average ~6 months from starting the process to first treatment. ~50% physician-referred. Top conditions: spasticity, chronic pain, MS, IBD. Moderately high pain levels reported prior to treatment.
How They Did This
Cross-sectional survey of 240 new patients at a New Jersey medical cannabis dispensary, a community engagement project between Compassion Care Foundation and Stockton University. The survey assessed diagnosis, referral sources, process satisfaction, timeline, and pain levels.
Why This Research Matters
A 6-month wait to access an approved medical treatment highlights significant barriers in the medical cannabis qualification process. Understanding these barriers and patient experiences can inform policy improvements to reduce unnecessary delays.
The Bigger Picture
Medical cannabis access barriers vary widely by state. New Jersey's program at the time was considered one of the more restrictive. This patient-experience data can inform both state-level policy reform and national discussions about medical cannabis access.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single dispensary in one state. Patients who completed the process and visited the dispensary represent those who persisted through barriers; those who gave up are not captured. Self-reported data may be subject to recall bias. No outcome data on whether cannabis treatment was effective.
Questions This Raises
- ?How do access timelines compare across states?
- ?Does faster access lead to better patient outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Nearly 6 months from starting the process to receiving first medical cannabis treatment
- Evidence Grade:
- This is a single-site patient experience survey providing preliminary data on access barriers.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2016. New Jersey has since expanded its medical cannabis program and legalized recreational cannabis.
- Original Title:
- Understanding Patients' Process to Use Medical Marijuana: A Southern New Jersey Community Engagement Project.
- Published In:
- Journal of patient experience, 3(3), 81-87 (2016)
- Authors:
- Crowell, Tara L
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01133
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why does it take so long to get medical marijuana?
The process typically involves finding a registered physician, obtaining a qualifying diagnosis, registering with the state program, and then visiting a dispensary. Each step can involve waiting periods, paperwork, and limited provider availability. Programs have generally become faster since this study.
What conditions qualify for medical marijuana?
Qualifying conditions vary by state. In this New Jersey study, the most common were intractable spasticity, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Many states have since expanded their qualifying condition lists.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01133APA
Crowell, Tara L. (2016). Understanding Patients' Process to Use Medical Marijuana: A Southern New Jersey Community Engagement Project.. Journal of patient experience, 3(3), 81-87. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373516667002
MLA
Crowell, Tara L. "Understanding Patients' Process to Use Medical Marijuana: A Southern New Jersey Community Engagement Project.." Journal of patient experience, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1177/2374373516667002
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Understanding Patients' Process to Use Medical Marijuana: A ..." RTHC-01133. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/crowell-2016-understanding-patients-process-to
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.