Medical marijuana patients double to 34,000

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's administration says the medical marijuana program has doubled to 34,000 patients since he took office.

The Health Department said Monday that the majority of the 17,000 new patients have one of five medical conditions Murphy made eligible for coverage in March.

The department also said 800 doctors, up from 500, are now participating in the program.

The Democratic governor pledged to expand the roughly decade-old medical marijuana program as well as legalize recreational pot.

Legalization measures are still working through the Democrat-led Legislature. But Murphy took executive action to expand medical cannabis.

Murphy added five conditions to be eligible for medical marijuana: anxiety, migraines, Tourette's syndrome and two types of chronic pain.

The state is also considering doubling medical cannabis treatment centers to 12.