Current law permits medical marijuana to be prescribed only for certain debilitating conditions.
The Assembly health committee approved the measure, with Democrats supporting it and Republicans opposed. Three Democratic members didn't vote and two Republicans abstained.
"There is no benefit in denying a patient relief," Democratic Assemblyman Herb Conaway, who chairs the committee, said in a statement. "Medical marijuana has the potential to treat many medical conditions. If a doctor believes medical marijuana can be an effective treatment, then they should be able to prescribe it to their patients."
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, R-Ocean, Burlington, Atlantic, said before the vote he had questions about whether such an expansion was supported by science. Rumpf voted against the measure.
The legislation increases the maximum amount of marijuana that can be dispensed in 30-day period from two ounces to four.