After years of pushing from activists frustrated with New Jersey's limited medical marijuana program, lawmakers agreed Thursday to make it easier for patients to register and to purchase and consume cannabis for medicinal purposes.
The Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which passed the Senate by a 33-4 vote, would raise the monthly limit to 3 ounces per patient and legalize the manufacture and purchase of edible forms of medical marijuana, including food and oils.
The Assembly passed the bill last week by a 65-5 vote but will have to vote again due to a last-minute amendment on the Senate floor that would require cannabis businesses to allow workers to unionize.
If the Assembly approves that amendment, it will head to Gov. Phil Murphy's desk. But he does not seem willing to wait around.
Murphy is planning to take executive action within days to “drastically” expand the medical program, according to a person familiar with the administration’s plans.