N.J. patients can now register for medical pot

    People with certain medical conditions will be able to begin registering with New Jersey officials as medical marijuana patients as of today.

    State Health Commissioner Mary O’Dowd tells The Associated Press that it’s an important step in the state’s fledgling medical cannabis program.

    Doctors willing to recommend the drug have been able to register since 2010. Now, the patients will be able to also.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    The state will send patients’ ID cards within five days after their applications are complete.

    The registry is opening as the state’s first legal medical marijuana dispensary prepares to open.

    O’Dowd said Greenleaf Compassion Center of Montclair expects to open next month.

    The six other centers selected by the state are further from opening.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal