New Jersey’s Senate Judiciary Committee has just approved Senate Bill 2842, a measure to expand on the state’s current medical marijuana law by explicitly allowing dispensaries to sell marijuana-infused foods and drinks, and by easing the restrictions designed to make it more difficult for a minor to become a qualified patient.

In addition to legalizing marijuana food items, such as medicated brownies, the measure would ease restrictions on those under 18 who are attempting to become a patient.

Under current law someone under 18, regardless of how dire their medical situation, needs to have approval from three different individuals before they can become a patient: A psychiatrist, a pediatrician and a physician. This proposal, given that it can be extremely difficult for parents to find a psychiatrist to sign-off, would remove the requirements that youth patients receive a recommendation from anyone other than a physician, similar to how recommendations are handled for adults.

The measure now moves towards a full Senate vote. A companion measure is being filed in the House.

The news comes the same day as a 2nd dispensary group was given a business license to grow and distribute medical marijuana to qualified patients.

– TheJointBlog