Soon patients will be able to order more than three strains of medical marijuana at dispensaries in New Jersey. And children will be able to ingest edible products.
On Sept. 10, Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation that amends the state's medipot law.
Passed by the legislature in 2009 and signed by outgoing governor John Corzine in 2010, the original bill limited the number of strains offered at dispensaries (alternate treatment centers or ATCs) to three. It also didn't allow for the sale of edibles, such as cookies, tinctures and beverages. Now it does, but not for adults.
The case of two-year old seizure sufferer Vivian Wilson, whose parents have been able to control her seizures with a CBD-rich strain ingested in tincture form they acquire from Colorado, influenced Christie to sign the bill.
“I’m pleased the legislature accepted my recommendations so that suffering children can get the treatment they need," he stated. "I’ve said all along that protection of our children remains my utmost concern, and this new law will help sick kids access the program while also keeping in place appropriate safeguards. Parents, not government regulators, are best suited to decide how to care for their children, and this law advances that important principle.”
More than three years after the law was enacted, only one ATC is open - Greenleaf Compassion Center in Montclair. Two more - in Woodbridge and Egg Harbor - are scheduled to open before the end of the year.
