Trenton- Republicans and Democrats have been making the news more often addressing medical marijuana in New Jersey.
Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts told the Newark Star-Ledger on Nov. 15 that the medical cannabis legislation would be a priority for the upcoming lame-duck sessions in Trenton.
Codey and Roberts say one big lame-duck goal is to make New Jersey the 14th state in the nation to legalize marijuana for people with debilitating illnesses. Corzine has said he would sign the bill; Christie said it needs more restrictions but supports the concept of medical marijuana.
"We need to provide compassionate medical marijuana use to people who are suffering," said Roberts. READ Newark Star-Ledger article in full
In the last four weeks some politicians have been voicing ever stronger support for cannabis related issues in the Garden State.
Two of the state Senators sponsoring The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act recently asked for the Governor to grant a pardon on grounds of medical use. It is a particularly egregious case: For growing 17 cannabis plants multiple-sclerosis patient John Wilson is facing 15 years in state prison under a first-degree felony charge.
Senators Nicholas Scutari and Raymond Lesniak issued a press release from the Senate Majority office on October 27th asking for the pardon.
"It seems cruel and unusual to treat New Jersey's sick and dying as if they were drug cartel kingpins. Moreover, it is a complete waste of taxpayer money having to house and treat an MS patient in a jail at the public's expense," said Senator Scutari, D-Union, Middlesex and Somerset. "Specifically, in the case of John Ray Wilson, the State is taking a fiscally irresponsible hard-line approach against a man who's simply seeking what little relief could be found from the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis. Governor Corzine should step in immediately and end this perversion of criminal drug statutes in the Garden State."
"Without compassion and a sense of moral right and wrong, laws are worth less than the paper they're printed on," said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. "New Jersey's tough criminal drug laws were never intended to be used against patients suffering from chronic and terminal medical conditions. The prosecutors and presiding judge have set up a scenario where Mr. Wilson is no different than a common street thug in the eyes of the law."
This is the first time that legislators in any state have asked for such a pardon. The Senators are not asking that all charges be dropped, just the felony offense.
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey and NORML-NJ are supporting the cause to pardon John Wilson. The groups are planning a rally on December 14, 2009 at the Somerset County courthouse. An online letter to the Offices of the NJ Governor and Attorney General is available from NORML.
Two of the Assembly sponsors of the medical marijuana bill have also been weighing in the issue. Republican Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll was recently profiled for his support of safe access in the Randolph Reporter
"The government should not stand between a patient and his doctor," said Carroll, who is considered one of the state's most conservative legislators. "I see people in wheelchairs who say marijuana is their only way to get help." Randolph Reporter
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, the sponsor of A804, has long been a vocal supporter of medical cannabis. His office weighed in on the change in stance by the American Medical Association last week.
"I commend The American Medical Association for having the courage to request that the status of marijuana be re-evaluated in order to enable advanced clinical research, development of cannabis-based medicines and alternate delivery methods," remarked Gusciora.
"With its pharmaceutical giants, the potential for New Jersey take the lead in new, breakthrough research is enormous," continued Gusciora, "Residents of the State, including those who suffer from chronic illness and those who are employed in the pharmaceutical sector, could recognize terrific benefits." READ IN FULL
And let us not forget that Governor elect Chris Christie had a change of heart on the issue of medical marijuana during the election debates. Christie went from full oppostion to supporting some form of cannabis access. In an interesting twist of fate, it was Rick Cusick a Board member of NORML-New Jersey and the Associate Publisher of High Times Magazine that ended up posing the question.
Medical marijuana is a mainstream and very active political issue on the local and national scale. It is positive politics too: 86% of New Jersey residents polled in favor of state authorized cannabis program. Even for politicians who don't look at polls much, that one is hard to ignore.
The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act S119/A804 is in its final legislative phase and must see a floor vote in the Assembly. Governor Corzine has repeatedly stated that he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
The strong and passionate language on the part of these elected officials is heartening. Such positive support does bode well for the future of the bill and for the many patients who could directly benefit from it.
Groups that support S119/A804: the New Jersey State Nurses Association; the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians; the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization; the New Jersey League for Nursing; the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Southern NJ and Northern NJ chapters; the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey; The Drug Policy Alliance; NORML-New Jersey, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
YouTube - ALS Patient - NJ Medical Marijuana Assembly Committee 6-4-09
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Examiner
Author: Chris Goldstein
Contact: Examiner
Copyright: 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC
Website:NJ: Politicians speak out for medical marijuana
Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts told the Newark Star-Ledger on Nov. 15 that the medical cannabis legislation would be a priority for the upcoming lame-duck sessions in Trenton.
Codey and Roberts say one big lame-duck goal is to make New Jersey the 14th state in the nation to legalize marijuana for people with debilitating illnesses. Corzine has said he would sign the bill; Christie said it needs more restrictions but supports the concept of medical marijuana.
"We need to provide compassionate medical marijuana use to people who are suffering," said Roberts. READ Newark Star-Ledger article in full
In the last four weeks some politicians have been voicing ever stronger support for cannabis related issues in the Garden State.
Two of the state Senators sponsoring The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act recently asked for the Governor to grant a pardon on grounds of medical use. It is a particularly egregious case: For growing 17 cannabis plants multiple-sclerosis patient John Wilson is facing 15 years in state prison under a first-degree felony charge.
Senators Nicholas Scutari and Raymond Lesniak issued a press release from the Senate Majority office on October 27th asking for the pardon.
"It seems cruel and unusual to treat New Jersey's sick and dying as if they were drug cartel kingpins. Moreover, it is a complete waste of taxpayer money having to house and treat an MS patient in a jail at the public's expense," said Senator Scutari, D-Union, Middlesex and Somerset. "Specifically, in the case of John Ray Wilson, the State is taking a fiscally irresponsible hard-line approach against a man who's simply seeking what little relief could be found from the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis. Governor Corzine should step in immediately and end this perversion of criminal drug statutes in the Garden State."
"Without compassion and a sense of moral right and wrong, laws are worth less than the paper they're printed on," said Senator Lesniak, D-Union. "New Jersey's tough criminal drug laws were never intended to be used against patients suffering from chronic and terminal medical conditions. The prosecutors and presiding judge have set up a scenario where Mr. Wilson is no different than a common street thug in the eyes of the law."
This is the first time that legislators in any state have asked for such a pardon. The Senators are not asking that all charges be dropped, just the felony offense.
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey and NORML-NJ are supporting the cause to pardon John Wilson. The groups are planning a rally on December 14, 2009 at the Somerset County courthouse. An online letter to the Offices of the NJ Governor and Attorney General is available from NORML.
Two of the Assembly sponsors of the medical marijuana bill have also been weighing in the issue. Republican Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll was recently profiled for his support of safe access in the Randolph Reporter
"The government should not stand between a patient and his doctor," said Carroll, who is considered one of the state's most conservative legislators. "I see people in wheelchairs who say marijuana is their only way to get help." Randolph Reporter
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, the sponsor of A804, has long been a vocal supporter of medical cannabis. His office weighed in on the change in stance by the American Medical Association last week.
"I commend The American Medical Association for having the courage to request that the status of marijuana be re-evaluated in order to enable advanced clinical research, development of cannabis-based medicines and alternate delivery methods," remarked Gusciora.
"With its pharmaceutical giants, the potential for New Jersey take the lead in new, breakthrough research is enormous," continued Gusciora, "Residents of the State, including those who suffer from chronic illness and those who are employed in the pharmaceutical sector, could recognize terrific benefits." READ IN FULL
And let us not forget that Governor elect Chris Christie had a change of heart on the issue of medical marijuana during the election debates. Christie went from full oppostion to supporting some form of cannabis access. In an interesting twist of fate, it was Rick Cusick a Board member of NORML-New Jersey and the Associate Publisher of High Times Magazine that ended up posing the question.
Medical marijuana is a mainstream and very active political issue on the local and national scale. It is positive politics too: 86% of New Jersey residents polled in favor of state authorized cannabis program. Even for politicians who don't look at polls much, that one is hard to ignore.
The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act S119/A804 is in its final legislative phase and must see a floor vote in the Assembly. Governor Corzine has repeatedly stated that he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
The strong and passionate language on the part of these elected officials is heartening. Such positive support does bode well for the future of the bill and for the many patients who could directly benefit from it.
Groups that support S119/A804: the New Jersey State Nurses Association; the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians; the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization; the New Jersey League for Nursing; the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Southern NJ and Northern NJ chapters; the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey; The Drug Policy Alliance; NORML-New Jersey, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
YouTube - ALS Patient - NJ Medical Marijuana Assembly Committee 6-4-09
News Hawk- Weedpipe 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Examiner
Author: Chris Goldstein
Contact: Examiner
Copyright: 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC
Website:NJ: Politicians speak out for medical marijuana
