Pubdate: Tue, 12 Oct 2010
Source: Press of Atlantic City, The (NJ)
Copyright: 2010 South Jersey Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/29
Cited: Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey 
http://www.drugpolicy.org/about/stateoffices/newjersey/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion

MEDICAL MARIJUNANA / REASONABLE RULES?

No one expected New Jersey's medical-marijuana law to be the kind of 
loose, wink-and-a-nod dispensary system that exists in California. 
Fact is, that's precisely what supporters of the measure said would not happen.

And that's what makes the angry outcry over the new, restrictive 
rules announced last week by the Christie administration seem a bit 
overwrought. Are they strict? Yes. Are they so strict as to make 
medical marijuana unavailable to people who need it? We don't think 
so - but those critics have a 60-day public hearing process to make 
their case. And the Christie administration should be open to 
tweaking the regulations if that case is made.

One of the biggest objections to the new rules is that they would 
designate only four nonprofit dispensaries, which could also open one 
satellite office each. The law passed last January called for at 
least six dispensaries - two in the north, two in the central part of 
the state and two in the south - "to the maximum extent practicable."

It's unclear why the administration did not call for six 
dispensaries. Clearly, sick people shouldn't have to drive hours to 
get their medication. But somewhat ameliorating the access issue is 
the fact that the rules would permit home delivery under certain 
circumstances - something the original bill was silent on. If only 
four dispensaries are permitted, the home-delivery option needs to be 
made easily available to those living a distance from the nearest dispensary.

Another major issue is whether allowing only two growers and four 
dispensaries is practical from a business perspective.

"You've limited the number of people who can get medical marijuana, 
you've limited the amount they can get. It will be interesting to see 
if anybody actually applies and thinks they can run one of these 
things," said Roseanne Scotti of New Jersey's Drug Policy Alliance.

Other concerns have to do with the capping of the potency of the drug 
and limiting the number of strains that could be made available. The 
Christie administration says those rules were an attempt to keep the 
program a medical model, so the state understands what people are 
using and how well the drugs work.

Are these rules tighter than they need to be? Maybe. But the key is 
whether the plan represents a responsible, controlled program that 
will give patients the opportunity to get marijuana legally for 
relief from pain and other symptoms.

Hopefully, both the Christie administration and its critics will keep 
an open mind: If opponents make their case, the administration should 
change the rules. And if the rules stand as written, critics should 
do their best to make this program work. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake