New Jersey initiates new cannabis patient care platform

New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJ-CRC) officials are touting a new user-friendly, comprehensive platform debuting on Sept. 12, noting it enables patients to better manage their care.

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The endeavor, which the CRC indicated would also aid caregivers and health care providers participating in the state’s Medicinal Cannabis Program, places more of patients’ information at their own fingertips. Patients will be able to log into their accounts; check the status of their ID card applications; view healthcare practitioner authorizations; examine purchase history; and add or change caregivers without calling the NJ-CRC.

“The current medicinal cannabis registry which we inherited from the Department of Health has been in use for 10 years,” NJ-CRC deputy Executive Director Kelly Anderson-Thomas said. “In addition to being easier to navigate, the new platform will give patients access to their purchase and enrollment history and will allow new applicants to track their application process.”

The commission noted the new platform would also allow patients to make a purchase at a medicinal dispensary solely with an authorization from their doctor or nurse practitioner, as opposed to the present process of waiting to receive their ID card in the mail.

“Our customer service unit will be available through the transition period to assist patients with account needs as usual and will be able to answer questions about the new platform,” Anderson-Thomas said. “Instructions for how patients can set up their new accounts will also be on our website.”