N.J. Lawmakers Pass Medical Marijuana Bill

The Legislature on Monday approved a bill that would allow chronically ill patients access to marijuana for medical reasons.

Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine supports the legislation and could sign it before leaving office next week, which would make New Jersey the 14th state to allow medicinal marijuana use.

The bill allows patients with ailments such as cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis to buy up to 2 ounces of marijuana a month at state-monitored dispensaries.

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, a Trenton Democrat, was a co-sponsor of the bill and pushed for it for years. He said medical marijuana can alleviate suffering and there's no evidence it increases overall drug use.

"I don't think we should make criminals out of our very sick and terminally ill," he said.

Incoming Republican Gov. Chris Christie, a former federal prosecutor, said he supports the concept of the bill but remained concerned that a loophole could lead to abuses.

A compromise bill was worked out after some lawmakers expressed concerns about potential abuses. For example, a provision allowing patients to grow marijuana was removed.

Driving while high would continue to be against the law.

[m111111]

It baffles me why lawmakers don't just make marijuana completely legal. How is alcohol legal when it is both more addictive and has far worse consequences when used irresponsibly? Weed is not physically addictive, and NOBODY goes out and does anything stupid while on it. The worst thing that somebody high on weed might do is log into YouTube and post crazy comments. How many people get behind the wheel while high on weed and cause accidents? I hope I see a day when this country comes to its senses and legalizes this amazing drug. I think it will happen. God's gift to mankind shouldn't be illegal. End of story.

[dragon8me]

This story only had a front page link for a couple of hours. Go figure. I guess 3 stories about cannabis at one time was too much. Of course you would think the 14 state to legalize medical cannabis, (bringing it to 28% of the states to do so) would be big news.

[Freedomforever88]

MMMMMMMMMMMM! I am getting hungry for some reason.

[jeff-fla]

None of the new outlets let us know who is supplying all of this pot to the outlets. Does anyone know?

[dragon8me]

There called dispensaries. You apply for a liscenes to grow and follow the rules and you too can be a supplier. Black market weed is still illegal. 28% of America now has medical cannabis. We should end prohibition altogether. It's immoral to put someone in jail for weed, or any plant. You can do what you want with man made chemicals but no one has a right to ban a plant.

[Syndicate]

We waste a lot of money prosecuting potheads. They rarely hurt any one but their selfs. The states should legalize it to keep the money from drug dealers.

[ky7474]

All those that support the prohibition of cannibis are the real criminals. The corruption which has now gone on for decades and has destroyed countless families and individuals is a far worse crime than our modern day terrorism. This is social terrorism which can't be tollerated. The sins of this prohibition have manifested themselves into empowered organized crime, very dangerous drug cartels, elected officials being corrupted, and big corporations being pampered at the expense of good hard working, tax paying American citizens. Government needs to repent of this wrong or stand guilty in judgement for the lives desroyed and the blood shed. I pray they will.

[ffoulkes-2009]

No, the real criminals are the ones committing crimes...ak. breaking the law...which having and using marijuana is...

[dragon8me]

ffoulkes when the law is unjust, there is no law. People broke the"law" in the name of civil rights and even politicians broke the law during alcohol prohibition, even Christians broke the law by taking communion. A bad law is not to be obeyed. It is the duty of the citizen to do whatever needed to repeal a bad law up to and not to exclude revolution. Ask Thomas Jafferson.

[chris_from_KY]

NOW maybe you folks up there up in jersey could talk to these folks down here in KY and get them to do the same

[dragon8me]

Chris, I know how you feed, I live in Texas, but it's not their job to help KY. The people in your state have to get active and demand it. Vote out prohibitionist. There organized and you have to get organized before the politicians will even take you seriously. Our states may be the last, actually Alabama will be the last, but old are dying and more 18 year olds are able to vote every day. Religion is an obsticle but shouldn't be. If the people know the facts they will be in favor of legalization.