Uncertainty over medical marijuana may be halting applications

Monday was the deadline for groups interested in growing and selling medical marijuana in New Jersey to apply for a license.

However, controversy surrounding the program may be influencing some applicants.

The problem is the rules for the program have not been finalized. Lawmakers, who have said the regulations proposed by the Christie administration are too restrictive, are considering invalidating them.

Chris Goldstein is a spokesman for the Coalition for Medical Marijuana of New Jersey. He said that dispute is making some potential operators reluctant to pay the $20,000 application fee.

“Until the legislative debate is seen out to the end here, there is a real question as to how they’re going to operate their business, what they’re going to do, and what regulations they’ll actually have to follow,” Goldstein said.

The state Health Department plans to make a decision by March 21 on which of the applicants will operate the six alternative treatment centers.