Vitale Issues Statement on the Expansion of Medical Marijuana

Trenton – After an extensive and technical process, the Senate has sent new legislation that would expand the medical marijuana program in New Jersey to Governor Murphy’s desk in order to be signed into law. The legislation, A-20/S-20, sponsored by Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee Chair Senator Joseph Vitale and Senator Nicholas Scutari, closely resembles A-10/S-10 which cleared the Senate last month.

Today, Senator Vitale (D-Middlesex) issued the following statement:

“I am glad we have finally come to an agreement and we will, shortly, be able to provide this medicine to the patients who need it. I want to thank all of the advocates and supporters for their dedication to this cause. I would also like to thank my colleagues, particularly my co-sponsor Senator Scutari, for their careful consideration and support of this bill.

“The medicinal uses of marijuana have been proven safe for years, and yet, in New Jersey we have arbitrarily restricted patients’ access since our program’s inception. In many instances, marijuana can be a safer and even more effective alternative to other pharmaceuticals, particularly in the case of opioids. I’m glad to know that soon, health care providers will be able to offer this important treatment to suffering New Jerseyans.”

The bill was released from the Senate by a vote of 31-5.

To see the bill in full, you can follow the link here.