A proposal to lift restrictions preventing medical marijuana dispensaries from opening satellite locations has cleared its first major hurdle in the New Jersey Legislature.
Filed in October by Representative Reginald Atkins, a Democrat, Assembly Bill 4937 was approved today by the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee in a unanimous 5 to 0 vote. The measure would remove a provision in current law that prohibits medical marijuana dispensaries from establishing additional locations beyond their primary site.
Under the bill, a licensed dispensary could operate a satellite location after receiving approval from the state’s Cannabis Regulatory Commission. The goal is to increase patient access by allowing dispensaries to serve additional regions without requiring a new full license.
The measure also clarifies that dispensaries that were originally part of the state’s alternative treatment center system, prior to the enactment of adult-use legalization, may establish satellite locations with commission approval.
The bill has received support from industry advocates and patient groups who say expanding dispensary access will reduce travel times and improve care continuity.
Assembly Bill 4937 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration.
