While New Jersey became the 14th state to approve recreational sales, it became the first to do so without any form of home grow. Even today, several years into recreational cannabis, growing just one cannabis plant can cost up to 5 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Recent enforcement actions highlight the urgency of this issue. In one case, a woman was sentenced to six years in prison for cultivating 11 cannabis plants in her home (source). In other instances, arrests have been pursued for as little as a single plant. These cases do not reflect large-scale illegal operations - they involve individuals growing small amounts at home for personal use.

Continued criminal enforcement undermines the goals of legalization and risks imposing severe penalties on individuals whose conduct would be lawful in many other states.

New Jersey is also one of the most expensive states to purchase cannabis – averaging $269 per ounce of cannabis flower on the lowest end option out of 71 dispensaries audited, costing some patients over $1,000 per month to maintain their medical supply. Some patients return to prescribed opioid use as they simply cannot afford cannabis in New Jersey.

For the patients that can afford medical cannabis, they also struggle to find consistent supply of cannabis within the NJMMP. Cannabis is a complex plant with varying chemical profiles, which is why “strains” (cultivars) of cannabis are drastically different in effects. Many patients find specific combinations and levels of cannabinoids and terpenes necessary to treat certain ailments.

Different cultivars have varying harvest times and yields. Commercial cannabis is grown for THC content and to produce as much as possible in the shortest amount of time. However, there are many types of cannabis with minor cannabinoids that are sought out for by patients that work better for their specific conditions. The commercial market will never account for cultivars that take 90+ days to harvest or yield only a few ounces. These cultivars should not remain illegal to access.

Home cannabis cultivation is a necessity to provide consistent and affordable access to all types of cannabis. The continued prohibition on medical home cultivation is not in the best interest of the medical population, the public, and the cannabis industry itself. Most cannabis stakeholders within the industry are in support of home cultivation. Unfortunately, even with this support, the active home cultivation bills have been blocked from progressing.

Please consider supporting Home Grow by contacting your state representatives using the links above and spreading awareness within the Garden State.