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The basics:

• NJ suspends Bergen County doctor’s license over medical marijuana prescriptions
• Officials say ophthalmologist improperly approved medical cannabis
• Complaint alleges authorizations for minors without safeguards
• Case heads to administrative law hearing

A Bergen County ophthalmologist had his medical license temporarily suspended after authorities alleged he ignored state law on prescribing medical marijuana for children and adults.

According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Dr. Alfred Kulik, a Fort Lee physician registered in the state’s Medical Cannabis Program, authorized medical marijuana for about 95% of his patients. About 10% of those individuals were underage, with the majority between 6 and 12 years old, officials said.

Authorities also alleged that Kulik almost never refused to authorize medical marijuana for patients – including for children whose pediatricians were unwilling to do so, the AG’s office charged in a complaint against the physician.

Under the state’s Medicinal Cannabis Program, registered patients under the care of licensed health care practitioners can safely access cannabis-based medicine from regulated and monitored facilities. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission administers the initiative.

After enacting its medical marijuana law in 2010, New Jersey has expanded the program to cover a wide range of conditions, such as cancer, chronic pain, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder and seizure disorders.

As of April 2026, the program has 47,967 enrolled patients and 1,541 participating doctors. After peaking at nearly 130,000 patients in mid-2022, enrollment in the MCP has been steadily trending downward following the launch of the state’s recreational market that spring.

Requirements for minors

Minors can register in the program under stricter requirements. However, the physicians must be board-certified pediatricians or pediatric specialists and need to obtain a supporting letter from a psychiatrist confirming the minor is likely to benefit from the treatment.

Additionally, they are required to explain all risks and benefits of marijuana use to the patient and parents or guardians.

As a cancer survivor, Kulik says he understands the needs of patients battling long-term, chronic conditions, according to a bio on his practice’s website. The doctor has been a registered participant in New Jersey’s Medical Cannabis Program since 2014, the bio says.

Officials claim Kulik failed to follow multiple requirements for authorizing medical marijuana, including establishing physician-patient relationships, conducting physical exams and reviewing treatment records from other doctors.

He allegedly often approved medical marijuana after a patient’s first visit, the complaint said, noting the doctor has no formal training in pediatrics or psychiatry.

Out-of-office appointments

“The majority of respondent’s medical appointments are telehealth but he will also meet patients at dispensaries, diners and in cars. When the medical marijuana program first started in New Jersey, respondent would have 20 patients line up at places such as smoke shops and tattoo conventions,” the complaint said.

Instead of keeping traditional patient records, Kulik told authorities he uses “prescribing databases” to keep track of prescribing. He also takes notes on his personal phone, the complaint said. While he maintains that his notes comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Kulik did not known if they are encrypted, according to the complaint.

Following a request by the AG’s office, the State Board of Medical Examiners granted an immediate temporary suspension of Kulik’s license to practice medicine and surgery in New Jersey.

It will remain suspended pending the outcome of an administrative law hearing, officials said.

Kulik did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

‘Compliance is mandatory, not optional’

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport remarked, “Illegal and unsafe medical practices that put patients, and especially kids, in harm’s way have no place in our state. Indiscriminate medical marijuana authorization can lead to serious health problems, especially for kids and young adults. We have safeguards built into our medical marijuana laws for a reason, and compliance is mandatory, not optional.”

Illegal and unsafe medical practices that put patients, and especially kids, in harm’s way have no place in our state.
– Jennifer Davenport, NJ attorney general

“Suspending this doctor’s license while the case is pending ensures that he will have no contact with patients while these very serious allegations are being heard,” she said.

Division of Consumer Affairs acting Director Jeremy Hollander added, “Safeguarding patients–especially children–from unsafe and unlawful medical practices is an important part of the Division’s consumer protection mission. We thank the Board of Medical Examiners for recognizing and intervening to halt the imminent threat posed by this physician as we pursue disciplinary action against him.”