New Jersey alleges doctor unlawfully approved medical cannabis for minors

State enforcement action targets physician's medical cannabis recommendations to patients below legal age, per New Jersey Monitor report.

FILE — enforcement · Auckland Museum / CC BY 4.0

New Jersey has alleged that a doctor approved medical cannabis for minors in violation of state law, according to reporting from the New Jersey Monitor. The allegation appears to center on the physician's certification authority within the state's medical cannabis program, which is subject to strict age and eligibility requirements. No disciplinary outcome or further details were provided in the available report.

The enforcement action emerges as New Jersey's adult-use market accelerates—the state now operates 197 retail licenses and continues approving new locations in South Jersey, Lower Township, and Montclair. Recent weeks have also seen compliance challenges across the broader ecosystem, including an illegal delivery service arrest and seizure of $3.3 million in cannabis inventory. This physician allegation highlights oversight gaps on the medical side, which operates under separate licensure and prescriber rules.

The case underscores an ongoing tension in New Jersey's dual regulatory structure. Watch whether the state initiates broader audits of medical prescribers or tightens physician certification protocols to prevent age-qualification abuse.