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New Jersey Increases Dispensary Limits to Serve Growing Patient Needs

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[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]T[/dropcap]o support the thousands of new cannabis patients added this year, New Jersey plans to double the amount of medical cannabis dispensaries in the state.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced on July 16 that his administration will allow up to six more dispensaries to help serve the needs of thousands of new cannabis patients in the state. He has been on a mission this year to get more people approved for cannabis after several years of roadblocks set up by the state’s previous administration. Currently, an estimated 25,000 patients, 1,000 caregivers and 700 physicians participate in the state’s medical cannabis program. “We look forward to the opening of six new dispensaries so we can ensure that all qualifying patients who want access to medicinal marijuana can have it,’’ said Murphy. “Due to the steps that Commissioner Elnahal and I have taken since January, we have seen the addition of 10,000 new patients. Accordingly, we have to expand the number of businesses who are growing product and serving patients.”

The addition of new patients and doctors came from a number of changes that Gov. Murphy made after a self-audit on the state’s cannabis program. The new rules dropped the public registry of doctors, lowered fees and added approved five more conditions for cannabis treatment.

Up to six more applicants will be considered, two each in the northern, central and southern regions of New Jersey. Applicant fees are $20,000 per application, with more than one application needed for applying to different regions of the state. If unsuccessful, applicants get $18,000 back. Existing alternative treatment centers are not allowed to apply since they already have the opportunity to expand at a later date. Applicants must attend a conference Aug. 9 at the Department of Health in Trenton. Applications will be taken from that date until the end of the month, and those selected will be announced Nov. 1.

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