We saw a significant victory for medical cannabis in America when legislation passed in Trenton on Jan 11. This was an extremely hard-won effort by patients, their families and advocates. Comfortable votes in the New Jersey Assembly and Senate give the new program a strong mandate.

Since the bill passed a flood of well-intentioned requests have poured in from those who wish to open an Alternative Treatment Center (ATC) or become a caregiver.

But while other states have allowed the local network of cannabis-cultivation knowledge to serve the sick and dying, individual medical gardens will not be allowed in the Garden State.

Instead, New Jersey lawmakers wrote a compromise bill that will create regional cannabis centers. The first six are required to be non-profit businesses; they will not be run by the government but will be independent entities. After the first six are in operation, for-profits may then apply for a license. The new facilities are required to grow, cure and produce medical cannabis, and dispense it from each site.

Under the NJ law, patients will be allowed a maximum 30-day supply of two ounces. While this will serve to relieve the pain and suffering of a vast number of patients, the amount will be the lowest available in any state marijuana program. A 60-day supply of 24 ounces is available in Washington and Oregon; other states allow their possession amount at any time.

This will require the operation of an ATC to be rather precise. Indeed, NJ will need teams of true experts who can grow the best medical-marijuana strains at the most affordable prices for patients, all while staying within the strict boundaries of the law.

The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) will create the full set of rules and regulations for the ATCs over the next six months. Incoming Republican Gov. Chris Christie has yet to appoint his DHSS Commissioner. That person will have total oversight of the NJ medical-marijuana program.

So let me offer my best advice to those who wish to open an ATC: Gather your team and wait until the complete rules are released. Don’t jump the gun. My experience is that law enforcement in New Jersey is well aware of the medical-marijuana effort and will follow the law when it's enacted. For those who are not authorized by this program, the Garden State has some of the worst prohibition laws on the books, especially for cultivation.

The New Jersey bill requires the medical-marijuana program to undergo a comprehensive review in two years and perhaps then home cultivation can be reconsidered.

Chris Goldstein spearheaded NORML NJ's efforts to pass the New Jersey medical-marijuana bill. Contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


Also see:
New Jersey Passes Medipot Bill
More Blogs by Chris Goldstein
More CelebStoner Blogs
CelebStoner News