Pubdate: Fri, 02 Aug 2013
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
Copyright: 2013 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.philly.com/inquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340
Author: Jan Hefler
Page: B1

FIGHT ON N.J. POT LAW FOR CHILDREN ADVANCES

Parents Took 2,200 Letters to Christie Seeking Change to the Ban on
Distributing Edible Medical Marijuana.

Parents who have been fighting for changes in the state's medical
marijuana law so they can provide the drug to their severely ill
children took their campaign to Gov. Christie's office Thursday, armed
with more than 2,100 letters from supporters.

In New Jersey, sick children are allowed to use cannabis under the
three-year-old law, but strict regulations and problems in
implementation have made it impossible for any of them to obtain marijuana.

The governor has until Thursday to sign or veto a bill that would
change three of the more cumbersome requirements, including one that
bans edible cannabis, the type children can easily use.

Christie was not at the Statehouse when the letters were delivered,
and in the past rebuffed the parents' requests for a personal meeting.

On his radio program, Ask the Governor, on New Jersey 101.5 FM
Wednesday, Christie said of the bill: "I think we've got to be very
careful. ... It's on my desk. I'm examining it. I'm hoping to come up
with a solution that will be helpful to these families, but also
helpful to all families in New Jersey so that we don't become Colorado
or California." He has criticized those states for lax
regulations.

In other remarks Christie made last month, he said that New Jersey's
program was limited to patients with a terminal or debilitating
illness, but that when it came to children, "I'm very reluctant."

Meghan Wilson of Scotch Plains, Union County, said she wanted to meet
with him personally to explain that her 2-year-old, Vivian, suffers
from daily seizures that have not responded to various barbiturates
and other prescribed drugs. Marijuana would be a last resort for her
child, she said.

Parents of children in Colorado and California who have the same rare
condition, Dravet syndrome, have reported success with medical
marijuana, and Wilson would like to see whether it works for her daughter.

Brian Wilson, Vivian's father, said Christie's remarks showed he did
not understand the situation: "If there was a mild, light drug you
could give your child to stop her seizures, why would you say she can
only take prescription drugs with much more serious side effects?"

The bill would lift a regulation that limits dispensaries to selling
only three strains. Wilson says it may not be feasible for them to
offer a special strain for children with Dravet, which would have high
levels of cannabidiol to stop seizures and would remove the THC, the
euphoric ingredient.

The bill also would require children to obtain a single doctor's
recommendation to get approval to use cannabis, the same as adults.
Currently, children must also get a pediatrician and psychiatrist to
sign off on their treating doctor's recommendation, which the parents
say is a tough hurdle.

Jennie Stormes of Hope, Warren County, teamed up with the Wilsons to
get the bill signed. Her son, Jackson, 14, also suffers from Dravet.
He has had brain surgery and has used more than 30 prescription drugs
over the years, with little success.

Jackson and Vivian were both issued medical-marijuana cards in
February, but have been unable to get cannabis. The single New Jersey
dispensary that opened last year limited its clientele and is
temporarily closed because of business problems.

Two other dispensaries are scheduled to open this fall, but they will
not be permitted to sell the edible cannabis that children could
easily use.
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MAP posted-by: Matt