Governor Phil Murphy (D) has called for the expansion of the medical marijuana program in New Jersey since it is very small.
The program has seen rapid expansion since Murphy took office in January. Furthermore, several lawmakers have been working diligently on cannabis medical, expungement, and legalization bills.
As of June 11, 2018, the number of patients enrolled in the program has increased 25 percent to just over 23,000 patients and 87 new physicians have enrolled since Governor Murphy announced reforms to the program on March 26. The program is growing at a rate of 100 patients a day.
Harmony Dispensary Opens in Secaucus
In another major development, the Harmony Dispensary in Secaucus finally opened today, Monday, June 18, after years of delay.
NEWS – Today we issued a permit allowing Harmony Foundation in Secaucus to operate & dispense #medicalmarijuana, making it the 6th ATC available in NJ. The announcement comes our MMP grows at a rate of 100 patients/day! https://t.co/BVlL1qTqwo pic.twitter.com/MkRhW4MfwJ
— NJDOH (@NJDeptofHealth) June 18, 2018
Harmony’s address is 600 Meadowlands Parkway, Suite 15 in Secaucus. They are actively seeking to consult with medical patients who are ready and able to purchase medical cannabis.
Additional changes to the medical marijuana program were unveiled today by the Department of Health, including amendments that Murphy passed through executive order in March.
In addition, we are proposing #medicalmarijuana rule changes that @GovMurphy asked of us just days after taking office. They will expand access to marijuana therapy responsibly, and to thousands more patients who need it! https://t.co/7eTPwgWaVm @ShereefElnahal pic.twitter.com/R1IW8RltGT
— NJDOH (@NJDeptofHealth) June 18, 2018
Medical Cannabis Changes
According to a press release issued by the State of New Jersey’s Department Of Health, the proposed amendments include:
- Reducing the registration fee for qualifying medical cannabis patients and their caregivers from $200 to $100
- Adding seniors and military veterans to those eligible for the reduced registration fee of $20
- Authorizing qualifying patients to designate up to two primary caregivers instead of just one
- Reflecting the addition of six “debilitating medical conditions:” PTSD, by statutory enactment; and five new conditions (anxiety, chronic pain of visceral origin, chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders, migraines, and Tourette syndrome), by the State Health Commissioner’s March 22, 2018, petition decision.
- Streamlining the process to petition for the addition of “debilitating medical conditions” by removing the requirement that petitions first be referred to the Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel
- Emphasizing the advisory role of the Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel to include the provision of guidance and recommendations to the State Health Commissioner regarding the medicinal use of marijuana
- Allowing physicians to opt out of inclusion on a public list of participating physicians
- Removing the requirement of psychiatric evaluation as a condition of physician certification of minors as qualifying patients
- Creating an endorsement system for the cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensing of marijuana for medicinal purposes. It would increase the available supply of, and patient access to, usable marijuana
- Authorizing manufacturing and dispensing of medicinal marijuana in non-topical forms
- Repealing the three-strain limit on authorized cultivation and dispensary activity
- Elevating the Medicinal Marijuana Program to division status within the Department of Health
New Jersey residents interested in registering for the MMP can click here. Patients and caregivers can visit the MMP’s website and refer to the FAQ section for additional information.
