OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Senator Vin Gopal released the following statement lauding the signing of the “Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act” this Tuesday in Freehold:

“I’m so glad to see this vital legislation finally signed into law. As a co-sponsor of this session’s original legislation expanding access to medical marijuana, I know how much this new law means to sick patients and anyone living with chronic pain across New Jersey. I’m deeply grateful to the Honig family and my colleague Assemblywoman Joann Downey for their devoted efforts to push this law through - your leadership and dedication will make a true difference for children and other patients throughout our state."

The bill (A-20) revises the requirements to authorize and access medical cannabis by allowing more patients to receive it, establishes a Cannabis Regulatory Commission, revises the permit requirements for alternative treatment centers, and establishes additional legal protections for patients and caregivers. Under the bill, patients would have more options for forms of medical cannabis to receive, and would be eligible to receive greater or potentially unlimited quantities if their condition allows.