New Jersey Plans Huge Increase In Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

New Jersey’s burgeoning medical marijuana program is going through some serious growing pains, with high prices and chronic shortages frustrating many of the state’s 47,500 registered patients. But there may be a big boost on the way for the people who rely on cannabis for relief, officials say.

On Monday, the New Jersey Department of Health announced it’s clearing the way for up to 108 new alternative treatment centers (ATCs) to open their doors. Officials are proposing to allow up to 38 new facilities in the northern region of the state, 38 in the central region and 32 in the southern region.

Currently, the state has just six licensed ATCs, which serve its entire population of medical marijuana patients. Those centers are located in Montclair, Egg Harbor, Woodbridge, Cranbury, Bellmawr and Secaucus.

In December 2018, NJDOH officials announced the locations of six new proposed dispensaries in Phillipsburg, Paterson, Elizabeth, Ewing, Atlantic City and Vineland. Those facilities are not open yet.

• See related article: NJ Names 6 Towns Up For New Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Gov. Phil Murphy, whose attempt to legalize recreational marijuana has apparently died in the state legislature, said that the new wave of ATCs would help to ensure New Jersey can “meet the needs of its patients.”

• See related article: NJ Marijuana Bill Passes Second Big Test

“We are at a point where patients just cannot wait any longer for easily accessible, affordable therapy,” New Jersey Health Commissioner Shereef Elnahal said, echoing the governor’s support.

According to state officials, three types of endorsements will be available for ATCs: cultivation, manufacturing and dispensary. In total, the department will seek up to 24 cultivation endorsements, up to 30 manufacturing endorsements and up to 54 dispensary endorsements.

By allowing for three sizes of cultivation endorsements (5,000 square feet, 20,000 square feet and 30,000 square feet), the department hopes to increase opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to participate in the program, Elnahal said.

A request for applications was posted in Monday’s New Jersey Register and the department’s website here. Permit application forms for ATCs will be available at http://www.nj.gov/health/medic... on July 1. Applications are due Aug. 15.

The length of time required to review applications and the timeline for announcing awards will depend on the volume of applications received, officials said.

New Jersey medical marijuana and cannabis advocates have been pushing for years to expand the list of qualifying conditions in a state that has been widely criticized for a lack of dispensary locations, as well as shortages of marijuana and doctors willing to prescribe it.

• See related article: New Jersey Marijuana Patients Need Lower Prices, More Weed

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