Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The state Department of Health wants to hear from the public about illnesses and conditions that should be added to the eligibility list for medical marijuana.
That sounds reasonable enough, we're just not sure why officials are bothering with this process, which involves completion of a three-page petition detailing other available treatments for targeted illnesses and documentation from physicians about the potential benefits of cannabis.
The state's health experts don't know all of this already? The health department has the ability right now to expand eligibility, but officials have been reluctant to do so. The state could solicit input from physicians and other medical marijuana supporters - and opponents - on its own, but instead officials are effectively forcing the public to do all the initial legwork.
New Jersey clearly has plenty of room with which to work in broadening the use of medicinal pot safely and responsibly, but nothing meaningful has been done. Is this really going to be any different? Or is this show of seeking public input just that - a show? Advocates seem unsure.
The skepticism is to be expected. Under Gov. Chris Christie's administration anything related to medical marijuana has been painfully slow to develop, as the governor has thrown up roadblocks and otherwise dragged his feet throughout the implementation process. The legalization of medical marijuana had already occurred before Christie took office, but none of the mechanisms were in place to provide the pot. That put Christie in the unusual position of overseeing the creation of a distribution system that he opposed; he has denounced pot as a "gateway drug" and surely would not have signed the medical marijuana legislation into law given the chance.
Despite all of those concerns, however, this marks a cautious but worthy step in the right direction. Expanding options for medicinal pot can help more patients while averting the more contentious discussion about full legalization of marijuana. Lawmakers have already advanced bills that would allow medical marijuana to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder and severe menstrual cramps. Other conditions would undoubtedly qualify for cannabis treatment as well, if health officials evaluate the requests with an open mind. More likely, however, they are doing Christie's bidding and will be less receptive.
We're guessing that the full legalization of marijuana in New Jersey isn't far down the road beyond the end of Christie's gubernatorial tenure. Public support is growing, and more importantly for lawmakers, there's too much revenue to gain. If a Democratic governor succeeds Christie with a Democratic legislature in support, legal pot may be inevitable.
Before then, however, patients shouldn't have to wait. They need the relief that medical marijuana can provide right now, and not just for the narrow range of illnesses New Jersey has thus far established. We hope health officials are sincere in exploring an expansion of medical marijuana treatments, and we urge them to act more quickly than Christie would want.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Editorial: Expand Eligibility For Medical Pot
Author: Staff
Contact: 973-428-6200
Photo Credit: Jeff Lautenberger
Website: Daily Record
That sounds reasonable enough, we're just not sure why officials are bothering with this process, which involves completion of a three-page petition detailing other available treatments for targeted illnesses and documentation from physicians about the potential benefits of cannabis.
The state's health experts don't know all of this already? The health department has the ability right now to expand eligibility, but officials have been reluctant to do so. The state could solicit input from physicians and other medical marijuana supporters - and opponents - on its own, but instead officials are effectively forcing the public to do all the initial legwork.
New Jersey clearly has plenty of room with which to work in broadening the use of medicinal pot safely and responsibly, but nothing meaningful has been done. Is this really going to be any different? Or is this show of seeking public input just that - a show? Advocates seem unsure.
The skepticism is to be expected. Under Gov. Chris Christie's administration anything related to medical marijuana has been painfully slow to develop, as the governor has thrown up roadblocks and otherwise dragged his feet throughout the implementation process. The legalization of medical marijuana had already occurred before Christie took office, but none of the mechanisms were in place to provide the pot. That put Christie in the unusual position of overseeing the creation of a distribution system that he opposed; he has denounced pot as a "gateway drug" and surely would not have signed the medical marijuana legislation into law given the chance.
Despite all of those concerns, however, this marks a cautious but worthy step in the right direction. Expanding options for medicinal pot can help more patients while averting the more contentious discussion about full legalization of marijuana. Lawmakers have already advanced bills that would allow medical marijuana to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder and severe menstrual cramps. Other conditions would undoubtedly qualify for cannabis treatment as well, if health officials evaluate the requests with an open mind. More likely, however, they are doing Christie's bidding and will be less receptive.
We're guessing that the full legalization of marijuana in New Jersey isn't far down the road beyond the end of Christie's gubernatorial tenure. Public support is growing, and more importantly for lawmakers, there's too much revenue to gain. If a Democratic governor succeeds Christie with a Democratic legislature in support, legal pot may be inevitable.
Before then, however, patients shouldn't have to wait. They need the relief that medical marijuana can provide right now, and not just for the narrow range of illnesses New Jersey has thus far established. We hope health officials are sincere in exploring an expansion of medical marijuana treatments, and we urge them to act more quickly than Christie would want.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Editorial: Expand Eligibility For Medical Pot
Author: Staff
Contact: 973-428-6200
Photo Credit: Jeff Lautenberger
Website: Daily Record