Senate votes to re-evaluate medical marijuana rules
Today the New Jersey state Senate passed resolution ACR 151/SCR 130 by a vote of 22 to 16.
The entire legislature has now agreed that Governor Christie’s proposed rules are outside the intent of the law. The Assembly passed the resolution on November 22nd.
CMMNJ is pleased that the New Jersey Legislature heard the concerns of severely ill residents in the continued fight for fair and legal access to marijuana. The vote today sends a strong message to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) as well as Governor Christie that officials need to craft more reasonable rules for the medical cannabis program. This can only be accomplished by engaging in a transparent process that involves patients and advocates.
Now that the resolution has passed in the Senate and the Assembly there is a 30-day window for DHSS to re-write the regulations.
If the re-write is not accomplished or not crafted to the approval of the legislature then either house may call a public hearing on the medical marijuana regulations. The transcript of those hearings would be placed on the desk of all legislators for consideration on how to proceed.
CMMNJ hopes that Governor Christie is sincere in his effort to bring legal cannabis to qualifying NJ residents as soon as possible rather than continuing a protracted effort to alter the law.