January 12, 2010

New Jersey Lawmakers Pass Medical Marijuana Bill

The New Jersey Legislature passed a bill January 11 to legalize medical marijuana, The New York Times reports. It is the 14th state in the nation to do so. The measure allows people living with chronic illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis to access marijuana grown and distributed by government-regulated dispensaries.

According to the article, Governor Jon S. Corzine will sign the marijuana bill into law before he leaves office next Tuesday, January 19. Within nine months, New Jersey residents with a marijuana prescription from their doctors will be able to access the drug at one of six locations in the state.

However, the bill represents the most restricting medical marijuana law in the nation. Doctors may prescribe marijuana to treat only a set of serious chronic illnesses. The bill also prohibits patients from growing their own marijuana and from using medical marijuana in public. Distribution will fall under the same strict conditions used to track opiates such as Oxycontin and morphine, and patients will be limited to two ounces of marijuana each month.

“I truly believe this will become a model for other states because it balances the compassionate use of medical marijuana while limiting the number of ailments a physician can prescribe it for,” said Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D–Princeton), who sponsored the legislation.

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Previous Comments:

Nate, Jacksonville, 2010-01-15 07:48:48
I think all drugs should be legalized. Why not? Alcohol is legal and you don't see people in iine for it every day. Thank of all the money it would save us. Then some of that money could really help substance abuse

Eric Twombley, Houston, 2010-01-14 14:58:48
Marijuana should be legalized nationwide, sold in licquor stores under a license, and taxed like cigarettes and alcohol. Medicinal use has been proven to be very effective.

J. Combs, Gaithersburg, MD., 2010-01-14 14:27:42
I've made 1/2 oz. last me for ovr a year.A hit at nite b4 bed,or when I used to play WoW.I rarely use it,so I get very little sleep.Feet/legs hurt so much at times. Neurontin is no good, severe constipation so bad, had to stop it. No relief in site from this cold/needles/pressure. Feels like frostbite, like my feet will explode out of my crocs. My wife of 19 yrs worries, she knows I hurt,knows smoke is only relief. I used to be very active, hike,fish. Very little left,what to do when I run out?

J. Combs, Gaithersburg, MD., 2010-01-14 14:17:20
Many have disagreed about legalizing medical herb saying it gives an excuse to get high. others say our lung health will be endangered. I take a hit just b4 bed so i can sleep because of the pain neuropathy in my feet, legs. I rarely use it tho', and am anxious about attempts to buy more. I do not want to cost my family our home should I get busted. $1K and/or 1 yr for any amount in this state. So, I get very little sleep, and do not like going out because of the pain. So many judgemental people

nancy, NYS, 2010-01-14 13:17:31
I used to think the plea for medical pot laws was only by serious "potlovers". I can tell you ,now in my 24 th year w/ this virus, that it is a miracle drug for me, once for about a yr, several yrs back, and now again for the past 8 months or so. It is the only reliever of queasiness, and apetite stimulant that works for me. I pray NY state will get real and do something so I dont have to keep being an outlaw, at 47 yrs old. I am a homeowner, taxpayer, and hold a graduate degree.

luis a gutierrez, west new york nj, 2010-01-14 12:21:32
Good for those people that smoke weed like me..am positive and I use weed but my doctor don't know..I hope with this coment doctors ask to everybody if we do..and help us..weed help me a lot on many pains ..I spend like 300.00 dlrs a month..