The New Jersey Department of Health, which regulates medical marijuana, has long taken a hands-off approach, telling patients they are free to create edibles with the raw cannabis that is sold.

The New Jersey Department of Health, which regulates medical marijuana, has long taken a hands-off approach, telling patients they are free to create edibles with the raw cannabis that is sold.

The day after Gov. Christie signed a bill allowing vets to use marijuana for post-traumatic stress syndrome, he was greeted by cheers - and some boos - as he exited his black SUV and walked to the entrance of the Trenton Statehouse.

The day after Gov. Christie signed a bill allowing vets to use marijuana for post-traumatic stress syndrome, he was greeted by cheers - and some boos - as he exited his black SUV and walked to the entrance of the Trenton Statehouse.

The issue is currently stalled mostly because the current Governor, Chris Christie, has vowed to veto any effort to legalize recreational use of the drug. 

The issue is currently stalled mostly because the current Governor, Chris Christie, has vowed to veto any effort to legalize recreational use of the drug. 

With Gov. Christie's surprising reversal on expanding the medical marijuana program comes a new batch of very different bills that would allow recreational cannabis in New Jersey.

With Gov. Christie's surprising reversal on expanding the medical marijuana program comes a new batch of very different bills that would allow recreational cannabis in New Jersey.

For more than a month, Gov. Christie has not taken any action on a widely touted bipartisan bill that would allow people with post-traumatic stress disorder to use medical marijuana.

For more than a month, Gov. Christie has not taken any action on a widely touted bipartisan bill that would allow people with post-traumatic stress disorder to use medical marijuana.

Now that New Jersey has had a medical marijuana program in place for nearly seven years, shouldn't the state change the decades-old classification of marijuana as one of the most dangerous and reviled drugs, one without any medicinal benefit?

Now that New Jersey has had a medical marijuana program in place for nearly seven years, shouldn't the state change the decades-old classification of marijuana as one of the most dangerous and reviled drugs, one without any medicinal benefit?

New Jersey opened its medical marijuana registry in August 2012. Since then 6,960 patients and 631 caregivers had received approval to take part in the program as of March.

TRENTON — Legalized marijuana could be "a game-changer" for New Jersey's economy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney said Thursday, declaring his intent to help change the law as soon as the next governor takes office in 2018.

TRENTON — Legalized marijuana could be "a game-changer" for New Jersey's economy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney said Thursday, declaring his intent to help change the law as soon as the next governor takes office in 2018.

The proposed law would also allow New Jersey residents with prior pot possession arrests to apply for record expungement.

The proposed law would also allow New Jersey residents with prior pot possession arrests to apply for record expungement.

TRENTON — Republican Gov. Chris Christie's warning to the Democrat-led Legislature not to move forward with legalizing marijuana is going mostly unheeded.

TRENTON — Republican Gov. Chris Christie's warning to the Democrat-led Legislature not to move forward with legalizing marijuana is going mostly unheeded.

Don Karpowich said he was determined to make lawmakers understand how deeply distressed many veterans are when he testified last month in favor of a New Jersey bill that would allow them to use medical marijuana for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Don Karpowich said he was determined to make lawmakers understand how deeply distressed many veterans are when he testified last month in favor of a New Jersey bill that would allow them to use medical marijuana for post-traumatic stress disorder.

New Jersey residents suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be legally treated with marijuana under a law signed Wednesday by Governor Christie, the first expansion of the state’s medical marijuana program since it began six years ago.

New Jersey residents suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can be legally treated with marijuana under a law signed Wednesday by Governor Christie, the first expansion of the state’s medical marijuana program since it began six years ago.

Gov. Chris Christie has long opposed legalizing recreational marijuana, recently calling the idea “beyond stupidity.’’ He won't be in charge soon.

Gov. Chris Christie has long opposed legalizing recreational marijuana, recently calling the idea “beyond stupidity.’’ He won't be in charge soon.

Their mission - to determine if recreational marijuana use should be legalized in New Jersey.

Their mission - to determine if recreational marijuana use should be legalized in New Jersey.

ATLANTIC CITY — Two days after lawmakers held the first public hearing discussing the idea of legalizing marijuana in New Jersey, the top four leaders of the state Legislature were split along party lines on how the state should approach the issue.

ATLANTIC CITY — Two days after lawmakers held the first public hearing discussing the idea of legalizing marijuana in New Jersey, the top four leaders of the state Legislature were split along party lines on how the state should approach the issue.

TRENTON — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Friday he would not use federal laws to eliminate legalized marijuana in states like Colorado.

TRENTON — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said Friday he would not use federal laws to eliminate legalized marijuana in states like Colorado.