When will medicinal cannabis be integrated into the Capital Health System?

My question at the Capital Health Annual Public Meeting on August 25th, 2026:

When will medicinal cannabis be integrated into the Capital Health System?

The Justice Department and the DEA announced on 4/23/26 the issuance of an order (published 4/28) immediately placing marijuana products regulated by a state medical marijuana license in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.

“The order also recognizes that state medical cannabis programs are part of the medical access landscape. State systems already regulate patient access, licensing, dispensing, labeling, packaging, security, disposal, and recordkeeping. The order relies on this existing state infrastructure to promote medical benefits and avoid unnecessary disruption to patients and state systems. The order recognizes medical cannabis patient registration as equivalent to a prescription.”

I realize that medication policies must be updated, and medicinal cannabis must be added to the facility’s Controlled Substances Policy. But, “Currently, most health care facilities forbid the use of medical cannabis in the facility. This is a dangerous and potentially fatal situation. A patient who suffers from seizures may be admitted to a health care facility for a condition that is unrelated to the seizure condition. Then, when the patient is denied access to the only medicine that controls their seizures--medical cannabis--the result can be fatal.”

As a former ICU/CCU nurse at Mercer Medical Center when it was on Bellevue Ave. in Trenton, I thank you for the opportunity to address my concern.

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA

Chairman, Trenton Cannabis Advisory Committee

Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc.

Dr. Joshua Eisenberg responded that Capital Health is aware that the cannabis laws have changed recently. A team is currently working to integrate cannabis use for both in-patient and out-patient care so that it is done in a safe and effective manner. We can expect more information to come in the months ahead.

https://www.capitalhealth.org/classes-events/main/annual-community-meeting