The New Jersey Department of Health today announced amended medical marijuana rules that establish standards by which the Department implements the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The rule changes follow the Department’s recommended regulatory actions in response to Gov. Phil Murphy’s Executive Order #6, which charged the Department with reviewing all aspects of the program to expand access and eliminate bureaucratic barriers.
“These rules solidify key program reforms to ensure greater patient access to this effective therapy,” Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said. “With these changes, the Department will be able to add conditions more rapidly, remove barriers for minors and increase supply of product available.”
Among the changes already in effect, there are some which are relevant for growers:
- Creating a separate permitting system for cultivation, manufacturing and dispensing cannabis for medical purposes, which would increase the available supply of, and patient access to, usable cannabis and allow for specialization in the market.
There are currently 46,300 patients, 950 doctors and 1,850 caregivers participating in the program.