Pubdate: Sat, 11 Aug 2012 Source: New Jersey Herald (NJ) Copyright: 2012, The New Jersey Herald Contact: http://www.njherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2162 Author: Jessica Masulli Reyes Cited: http://www.state.nj.us/health/medicalmarijuana/ 2 COUNTY DOCTORS ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER FOR MEDICAL POT Two Sussex County doctors are now able to register their patients for the state's medical marijuana program, according to the state Department of Health. Dr. Bernard Weintraub and Dr. Sami Yasin, both practicing in Sussex County, are two of nearly 150 physicians in the state who as of Thursday could begin signing up their patients through a registry system for medical marijuana. The state announced that this registry system is the first step in qualified patients and their caregivers receiving an identification card, which can then be used in the coming months when medical marijuana becomes available at certified dispensaries. Yasin, a board certified physician in internal medicine and infectious diseases, said he hasn't registered any patients yet, but he went through the practice period and will begin soon. "It depends on how many people are interested," he said. Yasin first became aware of the medical marijuana program when a patient he had seen at his Wantage practice for several years asked if marijuana could be prescribed. "I started looking into it, and there were a few conditions that had to be met to be eligible as a patient and physician," he said, adding that he met the requirements and became certified. On Thursday, Yasin already had a new patient come to him specifically for medical marijuana, but Yasin said he must first establish a bonafide relationship with the patient, which would take about a year. Once a relationship is established and the patient is monitored, he would consider prescribing it. "And then, of course, I should follow the patient for side effects, just like I would if I was prescribing morphine or other controlled substances," Yasin said. Yasin expects some new patients to come to him to develop this relationship, especially since there are only 150 others who can prescribe marijuana in the state. Other physicians may also join the program in the future. Yasin said the program is not about building his practice, but instead it is about helping his patients who are eligible and are in need. For example, he described one patient who is bedridden with painful multiple sclerosis and others who have side effects from HIV and hepatitis C medications. "(Medical marijuana) has been shown to be very effective," Yasin said. "That is one place where I can see the possible benefits." Weintraub could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon. He practices in Newton and Milford, Pa., and is a board-certified physician in internal medicine and neurology. These approved physicians will now enter patients into the registry and attest that the patient has a debilitating medical condition. The approved conditions include: - - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. - - Multiple sclerosis. - - Terminal cancer - - Muscular dystrophy. - - Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease. - - Terminal illness, if the physician has determined a prognosis of less than 12 months of life. Other conditions that apply could include seizure disorders such as epilepsy, intractable skeletal muscular spasticity and glaucoma if the patient is intolerant to conventional therapy. It could also apply to HIV, AIDS and cancer if there are side effects such as severe or chronic pain, or severe nausea or vomiting. Patients with these types of conditions will first visit an approved doctor who can register them. Then they would have 30 days to submit necessary documentation, a photo and a $200 fee in order to receive an identification card that is good for two years. The fee can be reduced to $20 for patients with Medicaid, food stamps or certain disability benefits. This identification card will soon allow patients to receive marijuana at Greenleaf Compassion Center in Montclair and Compassionate Care Foundation in Egg Harbor Township. Patients can receive a maximum of 2 ounces in a 30-day period, but the physician will determine proper dosage. Four other dispensary locations are in the works, but do not have set locations yet, according to the state Department of Health website. This new registry system is coming more than two years after then-Gov. Jon Corzine signed into law the state's Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The law mirrors 18 other states that also signed laws to help sick patients gain legal access to marijuana. "The department has made every effort to make the process as user friendly as possible," Health Commissioner Mary O'Dowd said in a statement. "Registered physicians have had access to the system since July to become familiar with it and have their questions answered." Yasin said despite the positives of the program, he still has some hesitations about the patients who will now come to him and their expectations. "I do have some anxiety," he said. "There are a lot of politics in there ... but I had to mitigate those feelings because we need to treat this as any other medication." For more information about New Jersey's medical marijuana program, visit http://www.state.nj.us/health/medicalmarijuana/ - --- MAP posted-by: Matt