Chris Christie
New Jersey: Governor Says He's 'Not Inclined To Allow' Children In Medical Marijuana Program
Submitted by steveelliott on Tue, 05/21/2013 - 21:03
By Steve Elliott
Hemp News
Acting as if cannabis were alone among all medicines in somehow being uniquely dangerous and simply unacceptable to give children, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Monday said he is "not inclined to allow" children to participate in the state's medical marijuana program, despite the fact that state law says the program is open to minors.
"I'm very concerned, if we go down this slope of allowing minors to use this, where does it end?" Gov. Christie said lamely in justifying his decision to allow children to continue suffering.
The governor was responding to a question concerning a New Jersey Star-Ledger story about Vivian Wilson, a two-year-old girl with a severe, rare form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome, reports Susan K. Livio. Vivian got a medical marijuana ID card from the New Jersey Health Department in February, but her parents, Brian and Meghan Wilson of Scotch Plains, have been unable to find a psychiatrist to support Vivian's enrollment in the program.
New Jersey law requires the approval of a pediatrician, a psychiatrist and the child's prescribing physician -- three separate approvals -- before the family may buy cannabis on a child's behalf. Some readers may remember certain New Jersey politicians bragging about having the "strictest medical marijuana law in the nation;" now the real-world consequences of such "strictness" are plain for all to see.
New Jersey: Senate moves towards dissolving Christie's medical marijuana proposal as patients plead for action
Submitted by restore on Tue, 01/25/2011 - 19:16
By Susan K. Livio, Statehouse Bureau
Video by John Munson, The Star-Ledger
New Jersey: Bills Would Delay Medical Marijuana Startup
Submitted by restore on Fri, 06/25/2010 - 22:24
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Bills introduced in the New Jersey Legislature would delay the start of the state's new medical marijuana law until Jan. 1.
Legislation introduced in the Senate and Assembly calls for a three-month delay in the law giving chronically ill patients access to marijuana.
The bill would give the state Health Department more time to set up the system under which AIDS, cancer and MS patients could legally access the drug.
On Friday, Gov. Chris Christie proposed a centralized growing and distribution program with Rutgers University and state hospitals playing major roles.
Sen. Nick Scutari, a sponsor of the medical marijuana act, says he's considering Christie's suggestions.
Source: http://cbs3.com/wireapnewsnj/NJ.bill.would.2.1763870.html
