Senate Democrats voted 33-4 to pass a bill widely expanding medical marijuana availability across New Jersey, nearly doubling the number of dispensaries from 12 to 23 and increasing the amount of medicinal weed patients could buy from two to three ounces a month. It would also regulate edible cannabis and make getting a doctor’s prescription far easier.
“This is a darn good bill that staff and others have worked really hard on in a smart way, informed by the evidence, informed by the data, that will move New Jersey to top of the pack on a national level in terms of treating patients,” said Sen. Joe Vitale.
The bill would phase out the sales tax on medical marijuana in 2025 and allow home delivery. Almost 47,000 New Jerseyans now have a medical marijuana card. The bill would also create a state commission to oversee implementation of the new law. But critics argued medical cannabis should not be taxed at all, that at an estimated $350 an ounce it’s too expensive.
“This is not covered by any prescription plan or subsidy. It comes out of pocket, period. So that poor people, working people of the state, who need this medical marijuana have to pay for it in cash, hard earned cash,” said Sen. Bob Singer. “To add sales tax to medical marijuana is a crime. And why is that a crime? In no other case of any medicine in the state of New Jersey do we charge sales tax.”