How Does The New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program Work?

I’m not sure if you remember or not but, back in January 2010, as his last act before leaving office, New Jersey Governor, Jon Corzine, signed medical marijuana into state law. So far, so good; we got excited. But along came Corzine’s successor, Chris Christie, who did everything within his power to block, or at least, delay the implementation of the law. Nevertheless, on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 Christie finally green-lighted the law.

The New Jersey Medical Marijuana Act is more restrictive than pro-medical-marijuana law in other states: treatment with medical cannabis is only allowed after other treatments have failed and the list of qualifying ailments is short and rigid.

Medical Marijuana in New Jersey: How to Register as a Patient/Physician

For you to participate in the program your physician must register with the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program and must confirm that you are undergoing treatment for one of the medical conditions listed below. The physician must attest that your symptoms are likely to be helped by the use of medical marijuana.

Instructions for Physicians Registering with the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program

Physicians Registration Form for the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program

Following registration and verification, your doctor will be able to register patients to the program. Patient registration is not yet open but it is expected to commence later this year.

Medical Marijuana in New Jersey: Primary Caregivers

As a patient you may nominate a Primary Caregiver who will be permitted to collect your medication if you are unable to do so. Your Primary Caregiver will be required to undergo extensive criminal background checks.

Medical Marijuana in New Jersey: Qualifying Conditions

Patients must be certified by their physicians as having a debilitating medical condition, such as:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Terminal cancer
Muscular dystrophy
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease

Terminal illness also qualifies if the physician determines the patient has less than 12 months to live

The following conditions qualify if they are resistant to conventional medical therapy:

Seizure disorder, including epilepsy
Intractable skeletal muscular spasticity
Glaucoma

The following conditions qualify if severe or chronic pain, severe nausea or vomiting, cachexia, or wasting syndrome results from the condition or its treatment

Positive status for AIDS, HIV or cancer

Medical Marijuana in New Jersey: Dispensaries/Alternative Treatment Centers

Six non-profit bodies have been selected to operate Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) for the state’s Medicinal Marijuana program. They are:

Breakwater Alternative Treatment Center, Corp., Ocean, Central Region;

Board of Trustees/Officers: Richard Lefkowitz, CEO; H. Alexander Zaleski, COO.

The ATC would be located in Manalapan, Monmouth County

Compassionate Care Centers of America Foundation Inc. (CCCAF), Jersey City, Central Region;

Board of Directors: David Weisser, Michael Weisser and Anastasia Burlyuk.

The ATC would be located in New Brunswick, Middlesex County

Compassionate Care Foundation Inc., West Trenton, Southern Region;

Board of Trustees: William J. Thomas, David Knowlton, James C. Herrmann, Ann Marie Hill, Jeffrey Warren, JoAnn Lange, Mark Dumoff.

The ATC would be located in Bellmawr, Camden County

Compassionate Sciences, Inc. ATC, Sea Cliff, NY, Southern Region;

Board of Trustees, CEO Richard Taney, Dr. Steven Paterno, CFO Jack Burkolder; Webster Todd.

The location of the ATC is undetermined, but will be located in either Burlington or Camden County

Foundation Harmony, Cliffside Park, Northern Region;

Board of Directors: Maria Karavas, Ida Umanskaya, Margarita Ivanova and Dmitri Bajanov.

The ATC would be in Secaucus, Hudson County

Greenleaf Compassion Center, Montclair, Northern Region;

Board of Trustees: Joseph Stevens, president, CEO; Jordan A. Matthews, Robert J. Guarino.

The ATC would be in Montclair, Essex County

Alternative Treatment Centers: Regulations

ATCs are not permitted to run a delivery service
ATCs must not allow the consumption of marijuana on their premises
ATCs must not offer cannabis edibles
Qualifying patients may obtain their medical cannabis only from an ATC. Any person who obtains, possesses, uses or sells marijuana in any manner that is not authorized under the Compassionate Use Law will be subject to arrest and criminal prosecution.
You must not share or give away your medical cannabis

Medical Marijuana in New Jersey: Possession

Patients registered with the New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program may possess/use a maximum of two ounces of marijuana in any 30 day period
Qualifying patients may obtain their medical cannabis only from an ATC. Any person who obtains, possesses, uses or sells marijuana in any manner that is not authorized under the Compassionate Use Law will be subject to arrest and criminal prosecution
Patients must not share or give away their medical cannabis
Patients may not grow their own marijuana