On July 2, 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 20 (AB 20 or the Act). AB 20’s expansion of New Jersey’s current medical cannabis program includes:
- Establishing a Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC)
- Expanding the list of qualifying medical conditions
- Expanding the list of professionals who may prescribe medical cannabis to patients
- Phasing out sales tax on medical cannabis
- Establishing equity provisions for small businesses as well as minority, women, and disabled veteran-owned businesses
- Establishing protections for medical cannabis patients
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission
Under the Act, the CRC will oversee, administer and enforce New Jersey’s medical cannabis program. Within 180 days of the Act’s effective date, the CRC is tasked with issuing rules implementing the law, including setting limits for licenses and dosage guidelines. Within the CRC, there will also be an Office of Minority, Disabled Veterans, and Women Cannabis Business Development that will promote NJ cannabis program participation by persons from socially and economically disadvantaged communities.