In response to the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis (Marijuana) Act, which was signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy in July 2019, the West Orange Township Council and West Orange Board of Education recently collaborated on a special meeting to discuss the legislation and possible changes to West Orange’s zoning.
The law—named after 7-year-old Howell resident “Jake the Tank” Honig, who died in January 2018 after battling a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer—expands New Jersey’s Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP) by providing more access to medical marijuana for adults and minors with qualifying conditions; increases the amount of marijuana given from two to three ounces per month; and provides additional guidelines for dispensaries and the health care professionals who are allowed to authorize use of medical cannabis.
Members of the New Jersey Assembly and Gov. Murphy were inspired to expand the program after Michael Honig, Jake’s father, testified that medicinal cannabis allowed his son to live as a normal child, excelling at his education and in sports until his death.