Pubdate: Mon, 20 Aug 2012
Source: Hunterdon County Democrat (Flemington, NJ)
Copyright: 2012 Hunterdon County Democrat
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/3yHVqfQj
Website: http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5109
Author: Lillian Shupe

TEWKSBURY TOWNSHIP MAN IS NOT AMONG THOSE PATIENTS SIGNED UP FOR
MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM

TEWKSBURY TWP. -- Only a handful of patients initially signed up for
New Jersey's medical marijuana program. Township resident David
Barnes, who qualifies for the program due to a debilitating digestive
disorder, was not one of them, despite his desire to
participate.

In the past year, while waiting for the program to begin, Barnes has
been to the emergency room four times after experiencing seizures.
Meanwhile, his doctor of more than 15 years -- who signed up a year
ago with the physicians' registry -- experienced his own health
problems and was forced to retire from practicing medicine.

Only doctors who are registered can submit patients' names for the
program. Since Barnes no longer has a doctor, Barnes cannot register
himself.

In 1990 a doctor recommended marijuana to help soothe the symptoms of
cyclic vomiting syndrome he had. While not a cure for the attacks --
that occur with no warning and last for up to three days -- the
marijuana does lessen them, Barnes said.

The New Jersey medical marijuana law was adopted in January 2010 but
implementation has been slow as legislators argue about how to
regulate the program. Last year the state approved six centers that
will dispense the marijuana to patients. None are in Hunterdon.

Medical marijuana is still not available to patients.

"I hope I do not have to find another doctor and wait another year,
but right now, I don't know," Barnes said.

Meanwhile, Barnes has had to deal with the ramifications of using
marijuana illegally for the last 20 years.
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MAP posted-by: Matt