Cannabis Blog

Currently, there are six alternative treatment centers (aka medical marijuana dispensaries) in New Jersey, but that number is soon to double. On July 16, 2018, the New Jersey Department of Health Division of Medicinal Marijuana issued a Request for Applications for up to six more medical dispensaries. The six licenses will be divided evenly throughout the state: two in the northern region, two in central region, and two in the southern region.

Importantly, while all current medical marijuana licensees are required to be non-profit corporations, the six new licenses can be ...

The Canadian federal government legalized marijuana yesterday when the Cannabis Act was approved by the Senate in a 52-29 vote. The underlying basis for the legislation, which is set forth in an official press release when the law was first proposed makes perfect sense, and is something that every American anti-prohibition advocate can relate to: “The current approach to cannabis does not work. It has allowed criminals and organized crime to profit, while failing to keep cannabis out of the hands of Canadian youth.” While the Canadian legislation is significant for several ...

On June 18, 2018, the NJ Department of Health published for comment its anticipated amendments to the administrative rules for NJ’s medical marijuana program.  Interested parties will have 60 days to submit comments on the proposed rules.  Comments can be submitted electronically at:    http://www.nj.gov/health/legal/ecomments.shtml,

According to a DOH press release, the new rules would make the following changes:

• Reducing the registration fee for qualifying patients and their caregivers from $200 to $100
• Adding seniors and military veterans to those eligible for the reduced ...

Until now, New Jersey’s strategy for marijuana legalization has been to address medical marijuana separately from recreational marijuana. Thus, as we have previously reported, Governor Murphy and the Department of Health have been working to rapidly expand the medical program, while the Legislature separately hashes out legislation on full legalization.

Now, a new approach has emerged. Senator Scutari, a legislative leader in the legalization movement, has introduced the “New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Act,” which will tackle both medical and recreational ...

Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., a leading credit ratings, research, and risk analysis company, confirmed today that legalized marijuana provides positive revenue for states and localities which have permitted retail sale of marijuana, even taking into account the cost of regulation. While the share of the general revenue provided by taxes and licensing fees is relatively small – 1.2 percent of the general revenue in Washington and 2 percent in California, for example – that is in line with Governor Phil Murphy’s projections, which have accounted for an additional $60 ...

It is well known that New Jersey’s medical marijuana program was significantly hindered by Governor Christie. Since taking office, Governor Murphy has sought to significantly expand the program by expanding the list of qualifying medical conditions, significantly cutting the registration fees for patients, and expanding the number of doctors who can prescribe medical marijuana. The State even launched a new program that allows patients and doctors to register with the medical marijuana program through their mobile devices.

Governor’s Murphy’s efforts have paid ...

There are many reasons why Governor Murphy has prioritized legalizing marijuana, but perhaps the most important reason is the social justice aspect. An article posted on NJ.com yesterday displayed statistics about marijuana arrests in each state that were gathered from 2016 data from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting program. According to the article’s analysis of the FBI data, New Jersey ranked third in the nation in total marijuana arrests, and second in the nation in marijuana arrest rate (arrests per 100,000 people).^[1] Census data, however, reveals the New Jersey ...

Alan Silber a member of Pashman Stein Walder Hayden's Cannabis Law Group was extensively quoted in the Asbury Park Press article, "NJ Marijuana Legalization: Lawyers Say Weed is Good for You."

“So, you have a substance which you’re saying is illegal, which is identical to a substance that is made in the human body to keep us healthy,’’ Silber said. “What’s wrong with that picture?’’

He added, “Medical benefits from the use of marijuana not known in 1971, …and impediments to its lawful use as a result of its Schedule 1 classification, are abundant and glaringly ...

Registration For The Twelfth National Clinical Conference On Cannabis Therapeutics

Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. Attorneys Alan Silber, CJ Griffin and Ronny Jo Siegal are set to present on in Jersey City on May 10th at The Twelfth National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics hosted by Patients Out of Time.

The Pre-Conference Policy Workshop: Medical Cannabis in the States of Confusion is scheduled for Thursday, May 10, immediately prior to the conference. Patients Out of Time will offer a policy seminar featuring experts in law, science, and policies. This workshop is ...

De-Scheduling could have significant impact on how marijuana is regulated in New Jersey

Pashman Stein Walder Hayden filed a Brief De-Scheduling Marijuana today in support of the de-scheduling marijuana, and is in direct response to New Jersey’s Division of Consumer Affairs solicitation for public comment on how marijuana is classified under state law and whether any change in its classification status is warranted.

To reevaluate whether the currently accepted uses for medical marijuana warrant a change in its classification as a “Schedule I” drug in New Jersey, a ...