There are now more than 19,000 patients in New Jersey’s medical marijuana program and the recent addition of five qualifying conditions is expected to boost that number to more than 40,000 by the end of the next fiscal year.
Deputy Health Commissioner Jackie Cornell said the state is evaluating how many new medical marijuana dispensaries will be needed.
“We have heard horror stories from the West where we expand too quick and we have too much supply and then you see that only infiltrating into the black market,” she said. “So I think it’s something that we’re very interested and intentional about making sure that we are expanding access, but not running afoul here in bringing in too much too soon.”
Cornell said data from other states indicates there will be a decrease in the medical marijuana program if New Jersey legalizes adult recreational use.