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Declaring New Jersey's medical marijuana program "broken," a Union County assemblywoman has introduced legislation that scraps many of its most rigid provisions and allows people to grow their own supply. The measure would also protect some patients from losing their jobs, and expand the list of qualifying diseases. State Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Union), the lead sponsor, said she is undeterred by Gov. Chris Christie's recent remarks about there being little demand for the program except for people who want to legalize marijuana for recreational use. In a recent radio appearance, he said:
"This program and all these other programs, in my mind, are a front for legalization. Unless you have a strong governor and a strong administration that says, 'Oh, medical marijuana? Absolutely. We are going to make it a medically based program.' No demand there – or very little." Stender said her bill responds to patients who claim the program has failed them, particularly parents with severely ill children, and people whose diseases are not recognized by the state. The program was serving 2,342 patients as of mid-June.
"The program is broken – it does not function," Stender said. "Despite all of (Christie's) proclamations that this is a back door to legalization, the emphasis (of the bill) is finding a pathway to fit the needs of very sick people." The most dramatic change would allow eligible patients to grow their own cannabis. Patients and their advocates have complained the available cannabis is too expensive. Stender's bill also would allow patients to acquire marijuana through a designated grower. The bill (A3525), also sponsored by Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex), expands the list of qualifying conditions to include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, post traumatic stress disorder, Lyme disease, anorexia, hepatitis, the rare genetic disorder known as nail patella, and "any other condition if severe and chronic pain, severe nausea or vomiting" or wasting syndrome that accompanies a disease or its treatment. The bill also takes another stab at reducing the number of physicians required to recommend a child to the program.
Other provisions of the bill include:
- Letting an unlimited number of dispensaries operate under state supervision.
- Eliminating sales tax.
- Protecting patients from losing their jobs because they test positive for marijuana, "unless the employers establishes by clear and convincing evidence the use of medical marijuana has had a detrimental impact on the individual's performance."
- Requiring dispensaries or a lab to test the marijuana's potency and chemical composition.
Brian Wilson, a Scotch Plains resident until he and his family moved over the winter to Colorado where the program offers more effective relief from their daughter's illness, said he was encouraged to see the bill responds to what families have requested. "On first read, I'm really excited about it," he said. "This is about making the program workable so more people will sign up."
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Nj.com
Author: Susan K. Livio
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Lawmaker proposes medical marijuana program overhaul despite Christie's criticism | NJ.com
"This program and all these other programs, in my mind, are a front for legalization. Unless you have a strong governor and a strong administration that says, 'Oh, medical marijuana? Absolutely. We are going to make it a medically based program.' No demand there – or very little." Stender said her bill responds to patients who claim the program has failed them, particularly parents with severely ill children, and people whose diseases are not recognized by the state. The program was serving 2,342 patients as of mid-June.
"The program is broken – it does not function," Stender said. "Despite all of (Christie's) proclamations that this is a back door to legalization, the emphasis (of the bill) is finding a pathway to fit the needs of very sick people." The most dramatic change would allow eligible patients to grow their own cannabis. Patients and their advocates have complained the available cannabis is too expensive. Stender's bill also would allow patients to acquire marijuana through a designated grower. The bill (A3525), also sponsored by Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex), expands the list of qualifying conditions to include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, post traumatic stress disorder, Lyme disease, anorexia, hepatitis, the rare genetic disorder known as nail patella, and "any other condition if severe and chronic pain, severe nausea or vomiting" or wasting syndrome that accompanies a disease or its treatment. The bill also takes another stab at reducing the number of physicians required to recommend a child to the program.
Other provisions of the bill include:
- Letting an unlimited number of dispensaries operate under state supervision.
- Eliminating sales tax.
- Protecting patients from losing their jobs because they test positive for marijuana, "unless the employers establishes by clear and convincing evidence the use of medical marijuana has had a detrimental impact on the individual's performance."
- Requiring dispensaries or a lab to test the marijuana's potency and chemical composition.
Brian Wilson, a Scotch Plains resident until he and his family moved over the winter to Colorado where the program offers more effective relief from their daughter's illness, said he was encouraged to see the bill responds to what families have requested. "On first read, I'm really excited about it," he said. "This is about making the program workable so more people will sign up."
News Moderator - The General @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Nj.com
Author: Susan K. Livio
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Lawmaker proposes medical marijuana program overhaul despite Christie's criticism | NJ.com
