The State Senate passed a bill last week 38-0 allowing four more New Jersey medical marijuana caregivers to help a child medical cannabis patient.
State Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden) and Nellie Pou (D-Passaic) sponsored the bill S 521, “Expressly authorizes medical cannabis patients under 18 years of age to have up to four designated caregivers.”
The bill passed the New Jersey State Senate in a bipartisan 38-0 vote. Two State Senators did not vote.
It passed the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee on February 3rd.
New Jersey Medical Marijuana Caregiver Expansion Bill
Under the bill, patients and New Jersey medical marijuana caregivers would have to register with the State. Those with marijuana-related convictions would not likely be eligible to be New Jersey medical marijuana caregivers. However, there are several exceptions to the rule in the bill.
Medical cannabis patients can currently have only two New Jersey medical marijuana caregivers.
While the bill passed the New Jersey Senate, it has no companion in the New Jersey Assembly that must also be passed so it can become law.
Only Senators Ron Rice (D-Essex) and Michael Doherty (R-Warren) did not vote on the bill. Rice was an ardent opponent of cannabis legalization, and Doherty has expressed very conservative views.
Pou was a champion of cannabis legalization in the past.
A great deal of New Jersey cannabis policy has been formulated in the last few years. The election of Governor Phil Murphy (D) was a catalyst that launched what could be a multi-billion dollar life-saving industry.
There was a terrible stagnation and darkness under the former Governor. Chris Christie (R) ran on a law and order reputation. It stemmed from his time as a United States Attorney under former President George W. Bush. Christie always hated cannabis. This was despite the fact that the New Jersey medical cannabis law, the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act (CUMMA), passed in the last days of the former Governor Jon Corzine. So he was supposed to implement it.
Due to Bush being against it and the lack of bipartisan support. Christie created a terrible program during his eight long years dominating New Jersey.
