18‑year‑old medical patient asks CRC to allow 18–20-year-old patients into consumption lounges

A registered medical patient addressed the commission during public comment, asking the CRC to consider a regulatory waiver to allow 18–20‑year‑old registered medical patients access to consumption lounges.

Angel Fernandez, 18 and a registered medical patient from Newark, said current rules exclude him from consumption lounges and that his apartment prohibits indoor smoking; because state law bars 18–20‑year‑olds from purchasing vaporized products, he said he lacks any legal indoor place to use his medicine and often must use it outdoors. Fernandez asked the commission to grant a waiver under NJAC 17:30-37 so that registered medical patients ages 18–20 can access consumption lounges at hybrid dispensaries as a lawful and safer alternative.

Chair Laufer thanked Fernandez and said staff and the relevant regulatory councils would discuss the request with the patient’s issues in mind. No immediate regulatory action or vote occurred at the meeting.