Medical Marijuana Bill Pending in New Jersey; MS Sufferer to Stand Trial
The New Jersey legislature is considering the passage of New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which would allow medical patients suffering from a debilitating disease or chronic illnesses that causes “wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, seizures and severe and persistent muscle spasms” to use marijuana to alleviate their symptoms. Patients would need to get a doctor’s recommendation and signoff from the state Department of Health and Senior Services to participate in the program and legally possess up to six plants and one ounce of marijuana. The legislation also provides for the creation of “compassion centers” that would grow and distribute marijuana to patients. (See http://www.jointogether.org/news/headlines/inthenews/2008/new-jersey-medical-marijuana.html). The bill has been endorsed by the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians and the New Jersey State Nurses Association.
Governor Corzine has said he would sign the legislation if passed, but it has not yet been brought to the floor for a vote. Governor-Elect Christie is generally supportive of the bill but has some concerns that it did not contain enough restrictions.
In the meantime, John Ray Wilson, a New Jersey resident and MS sufferer, is scheduled to stand trial this month on felony drug charges stemming from the discovery of 17 marijuana plants he was growing alongside his home. He entered a not guilty plea and is now facing a 20-year prison sentence if convicted. The judge in the case ruled that he cannot use as a defense his explanation that he uses marijuana for his condition since he does not have health insurance and cannot afford conventional medicine and treatment.
Related Stories:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125962987284870595.html
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/565/new_jersey_medical_marijuana_bill_senate_committee_vote
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Medical-Pot-User-Faces-20-Years-in-Prison-78166477.html
There are 1 Comments to "Medical Marijuana Bill Pending in New Jersey; MS Sufferer to Stand Trial"
[...] [...]