Medical-Marijuana Bill Passes in N.J.

A bill that would allow patients with certain types of illnesses to legally use marijuana to ease their symptoms has passed both houses of the New Jersey legislature and is headed to Gov. Jon Corzine for his expected approval.

The New York Times reported Jan. 12 that the bill would permit individuals with cancer, AIDS, ALS, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and certain other serious, chronic illnesses to obtain the drug from six planned dispensaries that will be regulated by the state.

The measure passed 48-14 in the state General Assembly and 25-13 in the Senate.

Sponsors said the bill would create the nation’s most restrictive medical-marijuana law. The list of qualified illnesses is shorter than in other states, and patients would not be allowed to grow marijuana for themselves. Patients would be limited to two ounces of marijuana monthly, and distribution would be closely monitored.

Opponents to the measure said that California’s experience with medical marijuana showed that the drug had effectively become decriminalized. But bill sponsor Reed Gusciora said, “I truly believe this will become a model for other states because it balances the compassionate use of medical marijuana while limiting the number of ailments that a physician can prescribe it for.”

New Jersey would be the 14th state to allow medical use of marijuana.