With an expanded list of eligible conditions, and the registration fee cut in half, New Jersey has seen a massive uptick in participation in its medicinal marijuana program.
The increased demand is resulting in some delays or changes at the state's dispensaries.
Since March 27, when an overhaul of the program went into effect, an additional 4,000 or so patients have signed on to the program that allows the distribution of marijuana for approved debilitating medical conditions.
"Over the year prior to expansion, we were averaging about 800 new patients every month," said Jeff Brown, the state health department's assistant commissioner for the program. "And in the two months since the expansion, we've been averaging 2,000 patients each month."
The program is now serving close to 23,000 patients. More than 85 percent of the individuals who've signed up since the end of March fall under the newest eligible conditions — migraines, anxiety, Tourette's Syndrome and certain chronic pain.
Other changes to the program included a reduction in the biennial registration fee, from $200 to $100, and a discounted registration rate of $20 for veterans and senior citizens, which was already in place for those on government assistance.