N.J. Issues State's First Medical Marijuana Permit

[420 Warrior]

The garden state is about to get a whole lot greener. New Jersey has issued its first permit to grow medical marijuana legally. The permit was issued to nonprofit Montclair-based Greenleaf Compassion Center on Monday.

A second permit would still need to be granted before the center can begin selling medical pot to patients. A crop is expected to take three to four months to grow, and the state says a permit to sell would come once the first crop is ready.

Greenleaf is one of six centers chosen last year by the state to grow and sell cannabis. But it's one of just two that have announced locations with local approvals. The Montclair group says it has a cultivation site but has not disclosed the location.

Currently there are 16 states plus Washington D.C. that have medical marijuana laws on the books, CBS News reported. Laws vary throughout each state, but in New Jersey patients will be allowed to be dispensed two ounces of marijuana every 30 days with a doctor's note.

According to ProCon.org, in New Jersey medical marijuana is approved for treating seizure disorder, including epilepsy, intractable skeletal muscular spasticity, glaucoma; severe or chronic pain, severe nausea or vomiting, cachexia, or wasting syndrome resulting from HIV/AIDS or cancer; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease), multiple sclerosis, terminal cancer, muscular dystrophy, or inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease; and terminal illness.

News Hawk - 420 Warrior 420 MAGAZINE
Location: New Jersey
Source: CBS News
Author: Heath Pop
Copyright: 2012 CBS Interactive Inc.
Website: www.cbsnews.com

 

[QueenTokelove]

Yeah, I heard about this through the local news...too bad I live the next state over. But honestly with the violence popping off over there in Jersey, it would not be worth the move for the mmj.

 

[HoneyB]

I am a part of Greenleaf Compassion Center and it's true. We have a permit from the State.

It has been a tedious process with 'road-blocks' and 'speed bumps' along the way. There were times when we couldn't tell if the State was going to be jerking us around for weeks or for years but now I can say I've seen the State issued photo ID. The fun has begun.

Prospective patients should check the List of Participating Physicians. If your doctor isn't on the list maybe you want to ask why not, or if they'd prefer you to seek out another doctor who is on the list. It will be important to have an ongoing doctor/patient relationship, if your regular doc isn't participating you may want to start with a new doctor ASAP. Although the patient registry is still in the final stages of development and some things may change, three months of history with a participating doctor will probably be required.

It looks real easy for a doctor to register, encourage your doctor to participate.

All the information is accessible on line, here's the link to the State site:
NJ Department of Health and Senior Services - Medicinal Marijuana Program

Later,
HoneyB