Testimony to the Senate Health, Human Services
and Senior Citizens Committee
In support of S2392/A913: Authorizes medical
cannabis for treatment of sickle cell anemia.
November 13, 2025
The
Coalition for Medical Marijuana—New Jersey, Inc. supports the addition of sickle
cell anemia to the list of qualifying medical conditions for cannabis therapy
in New Jersey, but the Legislature’s valuable time should not be
spent on hearings for every possible condition that may be helped by cannabis.
A far
more efficient use of the Legislature’s time would be to allow any "health
care practitioner" to recommend cannabis therapy for ANY disease, symptom,
or condition that the prescriber feels may be helped by medical cannabis. Leave
this issue up to the Physician, the Advanced Practice Nurse, or the Physician’s
Assistant to act in the best interest of the patient.
The state
of New Jersey has already approved numerous medical conditions as qualifying
for cannabis therapy. Therefore, cannabis should be allowed to be recommended
“off label” for any other condition, as is the case with prescription
pharmaceuticals. Once a drug is approved for use by the FDA, that drug may be
used “off label” for other conditions as determined by prescribers.
There are
literally thousands of diseases, symptoms and medical conditions that cannabis
may help. Researchers believe that the Endocannabinoid System—the system in the
human body that processes internal and external cannabinoids--may play a role
in all diseases.
S2392/A913 should pass
into law, but so should a more encompassing bill regarding qualifying
conditions. Thank you for your attention.
Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc.
219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618
609.394.2137 ohamkrw@aol.com
Attachments: Resume of Ken Wolski,
RN
The Coalition for Medical
Marijuana—New Jersey, Inc., founded in 2003, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit
educational organization whose mission is to educate the public about medical
marijuana/cannabis and other plant medicine.
From: senburgess@njleg.org
To: Mr.
Ken Wolski
Mon, Nov 17 at 1:20 PM
Dear Mr. Wolski,
Thank you for submitting your testimony regarding S2392/A913 and for your longstanding advocacy on behalf of patients who rely on medical cannabis. I appreciate your perspective as a registered nurse and as Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana–New Jersey, and I am grateful for the extensive experience you bring to this discussion.
Your
testimony offers valuable insight into both the importance of adding sickle
cell anemia as a qualifying condition and the broader question of how New
Jersey’s medical cannabis program can best serve patients. The points you
raised about practitioner discretion, off-label therapeutic use, and efficiency
in the legislative process are important considerations as we continue to
evaluate this bill and the overall structure of the program.
As the
Senate reviews S2392 and other related legislation, I will keep your comments
and recommendations in mind. Hearing directly from healthcare professionals,
advocates, and community stakeholders is essential in shaping policies that are
compassionate, patient-centered, and grounded in real-world experience.
Thank you
again for taking the time to provide your testimony and for your continued
commitment to improving healthcare access for New Jersey residents. Please stay
in contact with my office as this legislation moves forward.
Sincerely,
Quincy Bates
Sincerely,
Renee C.
Burgess
Senator
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