TRENTON — New Jersey is getting closer to going into the medical marijuana business.

A key state senator says he now supports the idea of having the state's supply of medical marijuana initially grown by Rutgers University.

Democrat Nicholas Scutari says he is now working with the administration of Gov. Chris Christie to modify a law to put the novel system in place.

In January, lawmakers approved making New Jersey the 14th state to allow medical marijuana. But the program has not been implemented.

Scutari initially had reservations about the administration's plan to have Rutgers grow the medicinal pot and the state's teaching hospitals distribute it to qualified patients.

Previous coverage:

• N.J. teaching hospitals campaign to be sole dispensers of medical marijuana

• N.J. Assembly approves delaying start of medical marijuana program

• N.J. medical marijuana law deadline to be delayed to next year

• Gov. Chris Christie wants all N.J. medical marijuana grown at Rutgers

• N.J. medical marijuana law models New Mexico's

• New Mexico's medical pot law, similar to N.J.'s, is too restrictive for some

• Colorado residents say legal pot has economic, medical benefits; officials criticize unregulated industry

• Aspiring marijuana growers look to stake a claim in N.J.'s new industry

• N.J.'s medical marijuana law sharply differs from Colorado's