Jake’s parents, Michael and Janet Honig, joined the governor, press and other advocates at one of Jake’s favorite restaurants to usher in the new era of medical cannabis in New Jersey since the bill took effect immediately.
The bill will make it possible for dozens more medical marijuana providers to open in the state, lowers the number of times patients need to visit a doctor to qualify and increases the amount that patients can purchase.
“Our goal has always been to have a program that is modernized, compassionate and puts patients first,” Murphy said at the press event.
Murphy said the expansion would allow the state’s medical marijuana program to become more functional and capable of filling the needs of New Jersey. “With today’s changes, we are raising the monthly limits on medical marijuana so patients won’t need to take dangerous and addictive opioids.”
The bill will also extend authorization periods for patients among a slew of other tweaks.
“We’re allowing edible forms of marijuana, which is easier for many patients to ingest, to be available for adult patients and not just minors. And over the next three years, we will be completely phasing out the sales tax on medical marijuana,” Murphy said before being forced to take an applause break.
The bill comes after a months-long effort to legalize recreational cannabis in New Jersey failed.