Gov. Phil Murphy disputed the notion that his proposed medical marijuana expansion conflicts with a similarly aimed bill moving through the legislature, even though several provisions in the measure and opposition from top lawmakers could the hinder the administration’s moves.
Murphy’s remarks came hours after his administration unveiled a plan to add 108 new medical marijuana businesses, including 24 cultivation sites, 30 manufacturing facilities and 54 dispensaries.
The state Legislature is on the cusp of approving its own measure expanding the state’s medical marijuana program after it garnered the approval of the state Senate last week and the Assembly the week before. Assembly Bill 10, recently approved by the lower house, would cap the total number of medicinal cannabis alternative treatment centers at 23 for the first 18 months, including the existing six ATCs and the six more the Murphy administration is adding.
“These aren’t necessarily either-or propositions … it’s not at odds necessarily,” Murphy said in Hackensack Monday morning.
But Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-3rd District, lambasted the administration’s move as an “immediate and uncontrolled expansion” which could “be destructive to what is a newly-expanding marketplace.”