William Sumner
Earlier this year, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced an expansion of the state’s list of qualifying conditions for medical cannabis to include chronic pain, migraines and Tourette’s syndrome. Murphy also implemented several other immediate reforms, such as lowering the patient registration fee, and called on the state legislature to pass a more comprehensive expansion measure.
As New Jersey prepares to expand its medical cannabis program and considers legalizing recreational sales, industry experts and investors alike are pondering what this change will mean for the Garden State. On May 9, 2018, an event called the Medical Cannabis Education & Business Summit was held to help answer some of those questions.
Organized by the New Jersey Cannabis Symposium, the event was the result of a collaborative effort between several organizations; including BSC Group, Longview Strategic, Ansell Grimm & Aaron, PC, & Marcum LLP. Green Market Report was a marketing partner for the event. The event covered a wide array of topics ranging from the differing opportunities between the adult use and medicinal market to how the medical cannabis landscape will change as New Jersey gets closer to approving a final expansion bill.
Serving as keynote speaker was was Mike James, an active NFL running back. Currently a free agent, James most recently played for the Detroit Lions until he was placed on injured reserve with a concussion. and is the first active NFL player to request a therapeutic use exemption for medical cannabis. At the event, James discussed his use of medical cannabis over opioid-based medications and his recent proceedings with the NFL.
Although his request was denied by the NFL, James continues to lobby medical cannabis reform.
The event also included discussion panels and lectures from prominent cannabis activists and thought leaders in the industry; such as Aunt Zelda’s co-founder, Mara Gordon. Speaking with Green Market Report, Gordon called the New Jersey cannabis market “particularly exciting” and praised the state’s activists, entrepreneurs, and patients alike.
“The professionalism of the people here was on display at last night’s event,” remarked Gordon. “They are clearly paying attention to the good, the bad, and the ugly regulations and business practices that are in place elsewhere, and are committed to doing it better for the people of this New Jersey.”
