Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jul 2010
Source: Courier News (Bridgewater, NJ)
Copyright: 2010 Courier News
Contact:  http://www.mycentraljersey.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2163
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

IMPLEMENT MEDICINAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY

Earlier this year, the state legislature approved a bill that allowed 
the use of medicinal marijuana in New Jersey. The measure, signed 
into law by former Gov. Jon Corzine, was originally supposed to take 
effect this summer, giving relief to those suffering from chronic 
pain that defies traditional drugs. But the Christie administration 
has dragged its feet in implementing the law. That's a shame.

With the passage of the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana, New 
Jersey joined the growing number of states that allow the regulated 
use of marijuana. The law called for the creation of six private but 
heavily regulated alternative treatment centers that would dispense 
marijuana to patients under a doctor's care.

The law was supposed to go into effect this year, but now the state 
Department of Health and Senior Services is scheduled to begin the 
process of drawing up the requisite regulations in October and start 
the dispensation of marijuana in January 2011.

But those who have advocated the use of medicinal marijuana have 
doubts that schedule will be met. The Christie administration has 
floated a proposal to have Rutgers University grow all the marijuana 
and then have it distributed through teaching hospitals.

Rutgers has a well-deserved international reputation for its 
innovative agricultural programs. And the university can use the 
revenue to help with its budget pressures. But Rutgers' involvement 
presents several issues that could delay the implementation of the 
law, including the issue of possibly the loss of funds from the 
federal government, which still prohibits the use of medicinal marijuana.

Thirteen states have medical marijuana programs where private 
nonprofit or for-profit businesses assume the risk of federal 
liability. While there are problems in some of those states, New 
Jersey should follow the successful models, instead of reverting to 
the traditional bureaucratic practice of wanting to draw a straight 
line and ending up with a pretzel.

For an administration that has trumpeted its efforts to reduce state 
bureaucracy and develop partnerships with the private sector, the 
Christie administration's slow approach to implementing the law is 
disappointing. Any more delays in implementing the program will be a 
hardship to those who suffer from chronic pain and need the relief 
that marijuana offers.

The focus of the law are the words in its title, "compassionate use." 
Any further delay would not be compassionate.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom