NJ marijuana legalization: Legal weed timeline, licenses and other questions answered

I write about marijuana legalization a lot for the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey.

Sometimes I focus on the latest twists and turns in the legal weed legislative debate. Other times, it's about an interesting facet of the burgeoning cannabis industry that might have a particular impact in the Garden State. 

But there's so much more out there, and I want to tackle the issues that you're facing or questions you have about marijuana legalization. Maybe I have the answer off the top of my head (or I'm already working on a story about it), and sometimes I'll get in touch with an expert to provide insight. 

In the year or so I've been covering marijuana legalization, it's become very clear that there's always something new to cover. That's where you come in. I want to answer your legal weed questions, or find someone who has the answers. 

I'll answer these questions in a recurring "marijuana mailbag" feature, but I can't do it without you. Shoot me an email and we can start making some headway into the wild world of weed.

(Mailbag continues below the gallery, but before we go any further: The Asbury Park Press and USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey will continue diving into the New Jersey marijuana legalization debate, with regular updates, mailbags, a discussion group and live events.

Consider a digital subscription so we can continue bringing you the latest on legal weed.)

When will New Jersey fully legalize weed? Are they going to issue licenses for people to grow marijuana, not just sell it? (Jimmy L.)

Regarding the marijuana legalization timeline: New Jersey is a step closer to legal weed after the compromise reached between Gov. Phil Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney. If marijuana is legalized, this deal would overhaul the proposed taxing system for marijuana and give Murphy greater control over the proposed Cannabis Regulatory Commission.

If the current version of the bill is backed by lawmakers and signed into law, the CRC would have six months to craft and issue its regulations — essentially, the rulebook for the New Jersey cannabis industry. When those regulations are issued, the CRC must set a date for retail marijuana sales to begin within six months. 

RELATED: How to get a license, succeed in weed

So, if Murphy were to sign a bill on March 1, the "rules" would be issued by or before Aug. 28 and legal weed sales would begin by or before Feb. 24, 2020.

"I think the best-case scenario is you're going to have marijuana actually available legally, ehh, January," Sweeney told reporters on Thursday. "That's the fastest you're going to get it."

In addition to finalizing the legal weed bill, legislators still need to ensure there's enough "yes" votes in the Senate and Assembly to pass it.

As for growers' licenses, the aforementioned Cannabis Regulatory Commission will be in charge of accepting applications and issuing them, including licenses for "microbusinesses," small businesses with few employees that operate on a limited scale.

Again: This is all according to the current version of the New Jersey marijuana legalization bill. If the bill changes, this timeline and licensing process could change.

When will New Jersey have a medical marijuana dispensary in every other town as it does methadone clinics? Really, we can publicly trade and sell methadone to disabled patients but John Q. Public can't buy a jar of recreational marijuana? (Ryan L.)

The scarcity of medical marijuana dispensaries in New Jersey has long been a major concern among advocates. I've written about how the Jersey Shore continues to be a medical marijuana desert, despite being the home of over 16 percent of the patient population. 

Even if you take methadone clinics out of the equation, there are thousands of pharmacies in the state where patients can pick up opioid prescriptions — but only six medical marijuana dispensaries, with six more waiting in the wings. 

While most eyes are on the bill to legalize weed in New Jersey, that's just one bill in a package that includes Jake Honig's Law. That bill is an expansion of the New Jersey medical marijuana program that would allow access to edible forms of medical marijuana and remove limits on the amount patients can purchase at any one time.

Watch a video at the top of the page for a two-minute recap of how marijuana goes from a cannabis plant to a joint or edible.

HIGH HOPES: Meet the NJ family who moved to Colorado for medical marijuana access

Jake Honig's Law also requires the Department of Health to issue 40 new medical marijuana dispensary licenses within six months, ideally one in every legislative district. Another 40 licenses would be issued beginning two years after the bill takes effect, assuming it's signed into law as written.

RELATED: Medical marijuana dispensary in Brick held up

“I am a former patient of Dr. Anzalone. He is the best doctor ever. After suffering with anxiety disorder for many years, I am now chemical-free. … I am disgusted with the way the state of NJ is persecuting Dr. Anzalone. He was the trailblazer for medical marijuana in NJ. It’s time for the state of NJ to recognize that medical marijuana is a helpful alternative to dangerous and addictive prescription drugs.” (David G.)

In his email, David is referring to Dr. Anthony Anzalone, one of the state's most prominent medical marijuana doctors whose license was temporarily suspended by the state Board of Medical Examiners as of Feb. 8, the first time the state has taken action against a doctor for alleged violations of the New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program. (Read more about the ramifications of the Anzalone case here.) The action against Anzalone comes as New Jersey is making medical marijuana more available than ever to prospective patients.

Last month, Murphy announced that opioid addicts could enroll in the state's medical marijuana program as part of their treatment. Until now, opioid addiction was only a qualifying condition if there was chronic pain associated to it.

The goal, advocates have told me, is state approval for doctors to recommend medical marijuana instead of an opioid in the first place. A similar system is already in place in New York and Illinois, where doctors can authorize medical marijuana use for anxiety or post-surgery pain, instead of Xanax or Oxycontin. 

MORE: NJ health commissioner says medical marijuana may help against opioid crisis

New York, Illinois and Pennsylvania also allow patients enrolled in substance abuse treatment programs to use medical marijuana as an opioid replacement. 

Mike Davis; @byMikeDavis: 732-643-4223; mdavis@gannettnj.com