Pubdate: Thu, 08 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

CHRISTIE HAS TIME TO CONSIDER CANNABIS BILL

The deadline for Gov. Christie to sign or veto a bill that would make 
it easier for children to use medical marijuana has been pushed back 
11 days, to Aug. 19. Christie has said he has misgivings. Advocates 
say severely ill children can benefit from the drug. The ingredient 
that produces a high would be removed from the drug before it is 
given to children.

The issue spiked last week when the parents of 2-year-old Vivian 
Wilson dropped off 2,100 petitions from supporters that ask the 
governor to sign the bill. The Scotch Plains girl has a severe type 
of epilepsy that triggers daily seizures that have not responded to 
barbiturates and other prescribed narcotics.

Vivian's neurologist believes the child should have the opportunity 
to try cannabis to see if she gets the same results parents of 
children with epilepsy are reporting in other states. The bill would 
lift a restriction that bans cannabis from being sold in an edible form.

Christie's reaction has been that he wants New Jersey to have 
stringent regulations so "potheads" don't get access to the drug.

After the legislature passed the bill, the governor initially was 
given 45 days to sign or veto the bill, or until Thursday. But 
Jennifer Scortino, the deputy communications director of the 
Democratic Assembly Majority Office, said the deadline changed when 
the Senate canceled its Thursday session and rescheduled it for Aug. 
19. Under the rules, she said, the governor typically has 45 days, 
but if the house in which the bill was originated is off that day, 
the governor is given "until they're back in session."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom