New Jersey Governor Unveils Massive Medical Cannabis Expansion

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap]fter an audit was performed on New Jersey’s restrictive medical cannabis program, Gov. Phil Murphy decided to vastly expand the state’s medical cannabis program. Dozens more qualifying conditions are expected to be approved for medical cannabis, and more facilities are expected to be approved.

Murphy signaled that he will be adopting the recommendations set forth by his own 60-day audit of the state’s medical cannabis program.

“The days of making residents jump through hoops are coming to an end,” Murphy told The Associated Press. Later, he said, “We recognize that patients should be treated as patients, not criminals.”

Five new conditions will be immediately added. Currently, only patients with anxiety, migraines, Tourette’s syndrome and chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders and chronic visceral pain are eligible to participate in the program.

Per the audit’s recommendations, the patient fee to participate in the program would be reduced from $200 to $100, with a $20 rate for veterans and seniors. The one-caregiver per patient requirement would be lifted, and treatment centers would be allowed to open up satellite locations.

Only about 18,000 people have signed up for New Jersey’s medical cannabis program, which has been in place for nearly a decade. The program was originally enacted under then-Gov. Jon Corzine, but under Gov. Chris Christie, who is no friend to cannabis, the program moved at a glacial pace.

There are plenty of ways the program could expand. There are only 536 doctors that have been approved to recommend medical cannabis on the state’s list, but New Jersey has more than 28,000 doctors.

Murphy also wants to drop the highly visible registry, which may contribute to the number of doctors who would be willing to participate in the program. He’s also considering raising the monthly patient limit from two ounces to four ounces. It’s not only good news for medical cannabis patients in New Jersey, but also the businesses, doctors and caregivers that will be affected.