Like many residents in New Jersey, I'm forced to buy overpriced, low-quality cannabis from dispensaries—the only legal option available. Despite my efforts, these dispensaries fail to meet my medical needs and often do so at unaffordable prices, ranging from nearly $300 to $600 per ounce. As a medical patient trying to find relief and independence in managing my condition, I yearn for the opportunity to cultivate my own cannabis. However, New Jersey laws make this impossible by banning home cultivation and threatening even medical patients like myself with up to 5 years in prison.

The current legislation blocks patient independence and excludes many low-income residents from accessing essential medicine. It forces us into unreliable and often unsafe, unregulated markets, creating risks that shouldn't exist in our pursuit of health and wellness. Moreover, it consolidates power within large corporations like Curaleaf, which monopolize the market and maintain high prices without facing the pressures of competition that would naturally drive costs down.

In January 2022, Senate President Nicholas Scutari stated, "I'm not against marijuana being grown at home for medical purposes and maybe even just recreational purposes. But we've got to let this industry take root and grow... It's not even off the ground yet." Nearly four years later, despite the industry's growth, he continues to block bills S353 and S1985 that would legalize home cultivation for medical patients, let alone recreational users.

New Jersey has the chance to lead with fairness and innovation in cannabis policy. Legalizing home cultivation would empower patients like me to grow our own medicine, ensuring we have control over quality and access. It would also foster economic activity within our communities, allowing people to participate in a rapidly expanding market.

Reforming these laws is a vital step towards health equity. We must prioritize protecting patients and residents over corporate interests. By legalizing homegrown cannabis and regulating it responsibly, we can ensure affordable access to cannabis for everyone in New Jersey.

This campaign aligns with legislative efforts that are already underway, including Senate Bills S353 and S1985—bills that would legalize home cultivation for medical patients. Though supported by Democrats and Republicans alike, these measures remain stalled, largely due to Senate President Nicholas Scutari, who has refused to advance them for a vote. By signing this petition, you add pressure where it's needed most: on legislators who continue to delay justice for patients.



If New Jersey is serious about its commitment to health equity and innovation, then it's time to change these outdated laws. Please sign this petition to urge our legislators to legalize home cannabis cultivation and put patients first. Together, we can build a more equitable and just system for all.