First New Jersey medical marijuana ATC opens

New Jersey’s first Alternative Treatment Center (ATC) has opened in Montclair.  Greenleaf Compassion Center is only seeing patients by appointment and on its opening day had scheduled about 20 patients in the order of their initial registration for the program. To date, several hundred state residents are successfully registered, according to a press release.

Greenleaf limits patients to no more than two ounces of medical grade marijuana a month, though doctors may recommend less.  Initially, Greenleaf will dispense no more than half an ounce per person, in order to stretch its available supply to every patient.

“This is exceedingly momentous,” said Meagan Glaser, New Jersey policy manager of the Drug Policy Alliance.  “We are incredibly excited about the opening and absolutely thrilled that seriously ill patients are finally getting safe and legal access to the medication that works best for them.”

The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act became law in New Jersey in January 2010.  This legislation allows patients suffering from certain debilitating and life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis to use and possess medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation.  The bill also allows for the licensing of centers where qualifying patients can safely access medical marijuana.  Six NJ centers have received licenses but Greenleaf Compassion Center became the first to open its doors.