Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

Gov. Murphy Greenlights Expansion of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program

Author: Daniel T. McKillop

Date: February 7, 2018

Key Contacts

Back

Gov Phil Murphy Signs Executive Order Calling For Expansion of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program

Gov. Phil Murphy recently addressed a campaign promise to make New Jersey more cannabis-friendly by signing an executive order requiring a review and expansion of the State’s medical marijuana program.

NJ Gov Phil Murphy Green Lights Expansion of the NJ Medical Marijuana Program
Photo courtesy of Thought Catalog (Unsplash.com)

NJ Medical Marijuana Program

In 2010, New Jersey legalized medical use of marijuana with the enactment of the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The New Jersey Department of Health implemented the Act by creating the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program (MMP). The MMP authorizes approved physicians to disburse up to two ounces of medical marijuana to a registered patient during any 30-day period to treat numerous “debilitating medical conditions,” particularly where conventional treatments are ineffective or exacerbate a patient’s suffering. 

Although New Jersey launched its medical marijuana program several years ago, there are still only five alternative treatment centers (ATCs) in the state, with one more dispensary on the way. In addition, only 15,000 patients are currently enrolled in the program. The low numbers reflect the number of regulatory hoops that doctors, patients, and dispensaries must jump through to participate. By way of comparison, the medical marijuana program in Michigan, a state with a similar population to New Jersey, currently serves over 218,000 patients. In addition, the program in Arizona, a state with a smaller population than New Jersey, serves over 136,000 patients.

Expanding Access to Medical Cannabis in New Jersey

Under Gov. Murphy’s executive order, the Department of Health (Department) and the Board of Medical Examiners (Board) must review all aspects of New Jersey’s medical cannabis program, including but not limited to:

  • An evaluation of the current rules regulating the operations and siting of dispensaries and cultivation facilities, particularly focusing on whether the rules should be revised to remove unwarranted obstructions to expansion;
  • A review of the current process for obtaining a license to operate a medical marijuana dispensary, including recommendations to expedite that process;
  • An examination of conditions for participating physicians in the program to ensure that any such requirements are not needlessly onerous;
  • An analysis of the current list of debilitating medical conditions for which medical marijuana may be authorized, and a recommendation as to whether doctors should be given the flexibility to make these determinations on their own;
  • An assessment of the methods by which patients or their primary caregivers are obtaining medical marijuana and a recommendation of whether rules should be amended to approve additional methods that could facilitate patient access;
  • A review of regulations that govern the forms in which medical marijuana can be ingested, taking into consideration the needs for different methods for different patients; and
  • Any other aspect of the program within the Department or the Board’s discretion that hinders or fails to effectively achieve the statutory objective of ensuring safe access to medical marijuana for patients in need.

The Department’s study must be completed in 60 days, after which the rulemaking process necessary to reform the program will begin. This timeline, combined with the recent opposition to Gov. Murphy’s plans for full legalization of an adult-use cannabis market in New Jersey, may result in the relatively quick development and expansion of the State’s medical program during the Murphy administration.

This article is a part of a series pertaining to cannabis legalization in New Jersey and the United States at large. Prior articles in this series are below:

If you have any questions or if you would like to discuss the matter further, please contact me, Dan McKillop, at 201-806-3364.

Disclaimer: Possession, use, distribution, and/or sale of cannabis is a Federal crime and is subject to related Federal policy. Legal advice provided by Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC is designed to counsel clients regarding the validity, scope, meaning, and application of existing and/or proposed cannabis law. Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC will not provide assistance in circumventing Federal or state cannabis law or policy, and advice provided by our office should not be construed as such.

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress post image

Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress

The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]

Author: Brian D. Spector

Link to post with title - "Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress"
Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them post image

Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them

Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]

Author: Christopher D. Warren

Link to post with title - "Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them"
President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox post image

President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox

On January 28, 2025, the Trump Administration terminated Gwynne Wilcox from her position as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board). Gwynne Wilcox, a union side lawyer for Levy Ratner, was confirmed to the Board for an original term in 2021 and confirmed again for a successive five-year term expiring […]

Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh

Link to post with title - "President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox"
How to Dissolve a Corporation in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide post image

How to Dissolve a Corporation in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide

Closing your business can be a difficult and challenging task. For corporations, the process includes formal approval of the dissolution, winding up operations, resolving tax liabilities, and filing all required paperwork. Whether you need to understand how to dissolve a corporation in New York or New Jersey, it’s imperative to take all of the proper […]

Author: Christopher D. Warren

Link to post with title - "How to Dissolve a Corporation in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!