TRENTON — In a state where medical marijuana is often more expensive than flying to another state and buying it there, patients registered with some financial assistance programs could see their weed costs covered.
The cost of New Jersey medical marijuana, among the highest of any state in the country, would be covered for patients enrolled in four different financial assistance programs meant to help children, seniors, crime victims and those with disabilities, under identical bills already approved by the Senate and Assembly health committees.
The bills, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, and Assemblyman Herb Conaway, D-Burlington, could be voted on as soon as this week.
Under the legislation, patients in these programs could only have to pay a small copay for medical marijuana or have their costs covered:
- Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund
- Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
- Senior Gold Prescription Discount
- Victims of Crime Compensation Office
“The cost of cannabis can run into the hundreds of dollars per month for individuals,” Conaway said. “This bill serves those who are financially distressed and … ensures the benefits of medical cannabis are available to all who may need it.”
Subscriber exclusive:If you can buy and sell legal weed … why can’t NJ medical marijuana patients grow it?
New Jersey:Legal weed was overwhelmingly backed by voters; so why are towns banning it?
Patients enrolled in PAAD, which helps seniors…
Original Author Link click here to read complete story..
TRENTON — In a state where medical marijuana is often more expensive than flying to another state and buying it there, patients registered with some financial assistance programs could see their weed costs covered.
The cost of New Jersey medical marijuana, among the highest of any state in the country, would be covered for patients enrolled in four different financial assistance programs meant to help children, seniors, crime victims and those with disabilities, under identical bills already approved by the Senate and Assembly health committees.
The bills, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, and Assemblyman Herb Conaway, D-Burlington, could be voted on as soon as this week.
Under the legislation, patients in these programs could only have to pay a small copay for medical marijuana or have their costs covered:
- Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund
- Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD)
- Senior Gold Prescription Discount
- Victims of Crime Compensation Office
“The cost of cannabis can run into the hundreds of dollars per month for individuals,” Conaway said. “This bill serves those who are financially distressed and … ensures the benefits of medical cannabis are available to all who may need it.”
Subscriber exclusive:If you can buy and sell legal weed … why can’t NJ medical marijuana patients grow it?
New Jersey:Legal weed was overwhelmingly backed by voters; so why are towns banning it?
Patients enrolled in PAAD, which helps seniors…