Governor: Stop arrests for medicinal cannabis gardens in New Jersey

Governor Mikie Sherrill  
State of New Jersey  
Trenton, NJ  

Dear Governor Sherrill,

I am asking you to issue a Moratorium on arrests for small medical gardens of cannabis in New Jersey.

This Moratorium can be highly restrictive. The garden must be in a secure space, with restricted access, and the owner of the garden must be registered in the state’s Medicinal Cannabis Program (MCP). Only plants that fit in a 10’ by 10’ canopy would be permitted. No sales, diversion, or public display would be permitted.

I ask this because I spoke with a 100% Disabled American Veteran (DAV), who recently moved back to his home state of New Jersey. This veteran of combat suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) while on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He continues to suffer severely from his injuries, twelve years after his honorable discharge in 2014.

The medicine that the Veterans Administration prescribed for him only succeeded in addicting him to opiates and increasing his problems. This veteran also produced a letter from his psychiatrist at the Department of Veterans Affairs that included the statement, “VA clinicians are prohibited from recommending, assisting, or providing paperwork required for veteran to participate in state approved marijuana programs.”

For several years after his discharge, this veteran grew marijuana when he was living in Hawaii, one of the 25 U.S. states where it is legal to do so. But since his return to New Jersey, he is suffering terribly without access to the specific strains of cannabis that he needs the most. On his limited income, he cannot afford the cannabis in the state’s MCP. 

There are bills in the legislature (S1758/A1674 and S2564) that would allow home cannabis gardens for medical patients. Despite having significant legislative and popular support, these bills have not even had committee hearings yet. It will be some time before patients can legally grow their medicine here in the Garden State. This veteran, and others like him, simply cannot wait that long.

The Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling conducted a survey of New Jersey residents and found that 63% believe that it should be legal for adults to grow cannabis for personal use.*

Only a small number of patients require this Moratorium. It is estimated that under 10% of the patients in the MCP would grow their own marijuana. But those who need it need it badly. An industry/advocacy coalition has formed, with over 50 participants, to support the NJ Home Grow Coalition, refuting claims that homegrow harms the legal market.**

Finally, this Moratorium will also contribute to significant savings in the state budget. Law enforcement officers, the courts, jails, prisons and the parole system will be free from enforcing penalties against an activity that we certainly expect to be legalized during your tenure as governor.

You can ease a great deal of suffering, Governor Sherrill, by simply instructing New Jersey law enforcement officers that there is a Moratorium on arrests of patients in the MCP who have a small, highly restricted, medicinal cannabis garden.

Thank you for your consideration and anticipated cooperation.

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Chairman, Trenton Cannabis Advisory Committee
Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc.
219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618
609.394.2137 (home/office)
609.721.1658 (cell/text)
ohamkrw@aol.com

March 4, 2026 

·        * Menifield, C, and Rhee, Y. “Perceptions Concerning Cannabis Use: A Survey of New Jersey Residents.” 2023. New Jersey State Policy Lab. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University. https://rutgers.app.box.com/s/a92p5izgcmlhqw4jyud6kg163bnyqyrt

 

·        ** “New Jersey’s Homegrow Revolution: What Cannabis Enthusiasts Need to Know” https://herb.co/news/legalization/new-jersey-homegrow-revolution