New Jersey expanded its medical marijuana program, including increasing the number of illnesses eligible for cannabis use, under a broad new law signed by the governor Tuesday.
Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, signed the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act at a tavern in Freehold known for holding charitable fundraisers. He was with the parents and sister of the bill’s namesake.
Murphy signed the bill at Tommy's Tavern + Tap, a local restaurant, in front of dozens onlookers, many of whom were Honig's friends and family wearing #belikejake T-shirts.
The legislation stops short of making good on Murphy's goal of legalizing recreational marijuana for adults. But it gave the Democratic governor a reprieve from a debate over the budget and tax incentives that has split his party.
New Jersey expanded its medical marijuana program, including increasing the number of illnesses eligible for cannabis use, under a broad new law signed by the governor Tuesday.
Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, signed the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act at a tavern in Freehold known for holding charitable fundraisers. He was with the parents and sister of the bill's namesake.
Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation into law today significantly amending and expanding the state’s medical cannabis access program. The new law takes immediate effect.
The New Jersey Department of Health is seeking new applicants to operate up to 24 additional Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs): Up to 8 in the northern region of the state, up to 8 in the central region, up to 7 in the southern region, and up to 1 “at-large” to be determined during the award process. Three types of permits/endorsements will be available for ATCs: cultivation, dispensing and vertically integrated permits. In total, the Department will seek up to 5 cultivation endorsements, up to 15 dispensary endorsements, and up to 4 vertically integrated permits.
New Jersey cannabis attorney Rob DiPisa said in an interview with Marijuana Business Daily last week that people were looking forward to 108 licenses being issued “because the last one (round) was so competitive that it almost excluded mom-and-pops from the industry.”
So, he expected many would be disappointed if only 24 permits were issued.
Application forms will be posted by July 15 and due back by Aug. 21 for dispensary applications and Aug. 22 for the others.
Here’s how the licensing breaks down:
Small businesses may not have the political clout of regional conglomerates, but they’re hardworking, dependable and uniquely Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Health recently announced that the agency is seeking applicants for more than 100 new medical cannabis businesses throughout the Garden State.
Correction: An earlier version of the story said the state was looking at Flemington as a location for a future cannabis business. The state has made no indication that one town has an advantage over any other.
Starting Monday, the state Division of Medicinal Marijuana will open up the application process to those seeking to operate a medical marijuana dispensary in portions of New Jersey.
This action comes on the heels of the Flemington Borough Council voting 3-1 on June 24 to endorse the installment of a medical marijuana dispensary in Hunterdon County.
Gov. Phil Murphy will sign a bill expanding the state’s medical marijuana program on Tuesday.
“On Tuesday, @FirstLadyNJ and I will join the Honig family in Freehold to sign the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act into law,” Murphy said on Twitter. “We must continue to knock down barriers so that this life-changing medical treatment is affordable and accessible.”
If that plan holds up — there’s no reason to expect it won’t — the state will finally have implemented one part of its three-bill marijuana legalization package.
Though there is not yet a specific proposal, the borough council voted 3-1 on Monday to endorse the concept of having a medical marijuana dispensary in the county seat.
Mayor Betsy Driver said the borough has been approached by several potential operators of dispensaries. Earlier this month, the Murphy administration announced it is seeking applicants to operate up to 108 medical marijuana dispensaries statewide, up from the current number of six.