CMMNJ has received many emails this week from those who wish to open an Alternative Treatment Center in New Jersey to serve patients in a medical marijuana program. This has been our reply:
The “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act”A804/ S119 was approved by the state legislature on 01/11/10.
When it is signed into law by Governor Corzine, it will remove the state-wide penalties for the possession, and use of up to two ounces of marijuana when a New Jersey licensed physician recommends it for one of the qualifying medical conditions.
Qualifying medical conditions include cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, etc. The physician must have an on-going responsibility for the patient’s condition. Patients will be issued ID cards in a program run by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Patients may designate a caregiver to assist them with obtaining and using the marijuana. The caregiver must also register with DHSS.
The marijuana will be obtained from Alternative Treatment Centers which will be set up in the north, central and southern parts of the state, with two Centers in each region to start. The Centers will be tightly regulated by the DHSS and the Department of Law and Public Safety, which will monitor the amount of marijuana dispensed at these Centers, much as it now monitors the way Scheduled narcotics are dispensed. New Jersey will be unique among the 14 medical marijuana states in that only the Garden State will prohibit home cultivation of medical marijuana.
Specific information about how to apply to the Department of Health to become an Alternative Treatment Centers will probably not be available until June or September of 2010.
For more info, join the CMMNJ mailing list for monthly updates on the latest info as it becomes available. Visit: www.cmmnj.org
CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, provides education about the benefits of safe and legal access to medical marijuana. Donations are income tax deductible. Help us to continue our mission with your generous financial support.
Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director
Coalition for Medical Marijuana–New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org
219 Woodside Ave.
Trenton, NJ 08618
ohamkrw@aol.com