It Takes Nearly 6 Months for New Jersey Patients to Get Their First Medical Marijuana Treatment | Research

The takeaway

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.

Patients navigating the medical marijuana qualification process and policymakers concerned about access barriers.

Nearly 6 months from starting the process to receiving first medical cannabis treatment

What the researchers 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.

Why it 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 numbers in context

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 the study worked

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.

What this study cannot 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.

How to read the evidence

This is a single-site patient experience survey providing preliminary data on access barriers.

When this study was published

Published in 2016. New Jersey has since expanded its medical cannabis program and legalized recreational cannabis.

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.

Questions still open

How do access timelines compare across states? Does faster access lead to better patient outcomes?

Common 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.

Read the original research

Understanding Patients' Process to Use Medical Marijuana: A Southern New Jersey Community Engagement Project.

Journal of patient experience, 3(3), 81-87

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

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