Murphy Orders Review To Improve NJ Medical Marijuana Access

TRENTON, NJ — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has ordered a review of the state's medical marijuana program to eliminate barriers to access for patients.

Murphy signed the executive order directing the Department of Health's review of the policy two days after the death of a Howell Township boy who battled brain cancer for five years. The parents of Jake "The Tank" Honig had urged Murphy to consider easing the restrictions on medical marijuana, which they said had been the most effective way to treat their son during the last weeks of his life. Jake Honig, who would have been 8 in March, had battled Ewing's sarcoma since he was 2 years old and died Sunday.

Medical marijuana is used to treat chronic and debilitating pain, epilepsy, glaucoma, PTSD, ALS, side effects of cancer treatment, side effects of HIV/AIDS, Tourette syndrome, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other painful illnesses, Murphy said during the signing ceremony. He was joined by the Honigs for the signing.

“We need to treat our residents with compassion,” Murphy said. “We cannot turn a deaf ear to our veterans, the families of children facing terminal illness, or to any of the other countless New Jerseyans who only wish to be treated like people, and not criminals. And, doctors deserve the ability to provide their patients with access to medical marijuana free of stigmatization.”

Currently, New Jersey limits marijuana prescriptions only to those who have certain state-approved conditions. Stringent rules have resulted in just five dispensaries in the state to provide medical marijuana to 15,000 residents enrolled in the prescription program. And there are severe limits on how much can be dispensed each month.

The Honigs, who campaigned through social media and news reports to get Murphy's attention, said they were allowed to purchase just 2 ounces of marijuana flower, which they then had to cook down themselves to create the cannabis oil they used to treat Jake's pain. They resulting amount gave them just 10 days' worth of cannabis oil, Mike and Janet Honig told NJ 101.5.

Murphy spoke with the Honigs before Jake died and told them he would take action, the family said in a post on Facebook. He then invited them to join him on Tuesday.

>> READ MORE: Services Set For Jake Honig, Who Fought Cancer, Inspired Change

Murphy's office said New Jersey’s highly stringent rules have meant countless residents who could benefit from medical marijuana are left out of the program.

The executive order mandates that the Department of Health and Board of Medical Examiners complete the review within 60 days, and submit recommendations for new rules and regulations, according to Murphy's office.

In addition to improving access for patients, another goal of the review is to eliminate the stigma that many doctors feel when prescribing medical marijuana, which Murphy's office said is exacerbated by state law requiring medical professionals to publicly register in order to become certified prescribers of medicinal marijuana.

"Many aspects of New Jersey’s medical marijuana program are written in statute," Murphy said. "But our law is eight years old. Since it took effect, significant medical research has been conducted. Our goal is to modernize the program in New Jersey, bring it up to current standards, and put patients first."

The current law was approved by the Legislature and enacted in January 2010.

Murphy also said he remains committed to working with the state Legislature to pass comprehensive marijuana reform.

Gov. Phil Murphy signs the executive order as Mike and Janet Honig and daughter Gianna, the family of Jake "The Tank" Honig, look on. Photo via Gov. Phil Murphy's official Facebook page