MMJ Bill To Appear Before NJ Assembly Committee
Posted by CN Staff on June 01, 2009 at 14:28:41 PT
By Stephen J. Novak
Source: Express-Times

New Jersey -- The state Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee is scheduled to vote on a medical marijuana bill Thursday, according to a legislative calendar. The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was passed by the state Senate in February by a 22-16 vote.

The committee can amend the bill and allow it to move to the full Assembly for a vote, which would move New Jersey closer to becoming the 14th state to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. Gov. Jon S. Corzine has said he will sign the bill.

Under the bill, patients suffering from life-threatening or debilitating illnesses could be qualified to use medical marijuana with a doctor's recommendation. Patients would need to register with the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, and would receive registration cards indicating that they are allowed to legally possess and use medical marijuana.

"Our elected officials need to pass this important legislation," said Roseanne Scotti, director of Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey, in a news release today. "New Jerseyans believe that if they or a loved one have a serious illness, and are suffering, that they should have every option for relieving that suffering."
There is some division in medical and law enforcement communities about the bill, though a majority of area police officials seem to be against it.

"Taking something that is illegal for the majority of the population and making it legal for a very small portion of the population is going to make it hard for the officer on the street," Greenwich Township Police Chief Rich Guzzo said not long after the Senate's passage. "It's going to be a courtroom nightmare."

Source: Express-Times, The (PA)
Author: Stephen J. Novak
Published: Monday June 01, 2009
Copyright: 2009 The Express-Times
URL: Medical marijuana bill to appear before New Jersey Assembly committee Thursday - lehighvalleylive.com
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