Herb Fellow
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People suffering with multiple sclerosis testified yesterday that using small amounts of marijuana dramatically eases their suffering, but critics of a bill to legalize its use in New Jersey warned that it could trigger increased drug abuse. The debate over whether to make New Jersey the 13th state to defy federal law by permitting the medical use of marijuana took place before the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee. It ended without a vote, and with the bill's sponsor unsure of his next step.
Scott Ward of Robbinsville, a former Marine who has MS, told the committee that minimal daily use of marijuana has drastically improved his qualify of life.
"We all are living proof that this is effective. This is common sense," he said.
Ward testified in support of Assemblyman Reed Gusciora's bill (A804), which would give a measure of legal protection to seriously ill residents who smoke marijuana to ease their pain or symptoms.
The committee was not scheduled to vote on the issue. Gusciora (D-Mercer) said he will consider changes and consult with Assembly leaders before deciding what to do next. A state Senate committee gathered testimony on a similar bill two years ago but never took action on it.
"This doesn't make marijuana rampant in society," said Gusciora, who is also an assistant municipal prosecutor and who championed the state law banning cigarette smoking in restaurants and bars. "Medical marijuana should be a last resort when all other drugs do not work."
Twelve states have legalized the practice, beginning with California in 1996, while two others have reduced criminal penalties. The federal government still considers marijuana use a crime even in those states, but Gusciora said most federal prosecutions involve major pushers.
David Evans, a Flemington attorney and a cancer survivor who once endorsed the practice, said he now believes the medicinal use movement is a front for groups who want broader legalization of marijuana. "You might do more harm by passing this bill than by not passing this bill," he said.
A representative of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - New Jersey said the Food and Drug Administration has refused to approve the practice because officials there are dubious about health benefits and fearful of the potential for abuse. "Allowing marijuana to be used for medical purposes will lead to increased access and perceived availability to those that are not authorized to use it," said Candice Singer.
SPECIAL ID CARDS
Under Gusciora's bill, the state Department of Health and Senior Services would establish a list of patients eligible to use marijuana for medical reasons. Gusciora said it would mainly apply to people with terminal or chronic conditions such as MS, cancer or AIDS. They would receive a special identification card that would allow them to possess no more than six marijuana plants and one ounce of usable marijuana. It would not prevent police from arresting them, but it would give them a strong defense. Most states use this approach, Gusciora said.
Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (D-Hudson) said she is concerned people still would have to depend on illegal sources to obtain the drug. She said the state should set up a way for medical marijuana to be distributed by licensed pharmacies. "If we're going to legalize it, let's legalize it all the way," she said.
But Gusciora said that would be difficult since the federal government still regards marijuana use as a crime.
Gerry McGrath of Robbinsville is a registered nurse whose son, Sean, died of cancer. She said marijuana made his life more bearable before he died in 2004.
"This should not be a legal issue. Let doctors, nurses and families care for the sick and dying without the fear of police crashing down their door and arresting them," she said. Marijuana was the cheapest, least toxic and most effective drug Sean used, added McGrath's husband, Don. The bill also was endorsed by the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
But even a bill co-sponsor, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen), expressed concerns, saying she wonders how to put controls on medical marijuana use so it will not influence children.
Source: NJ.com: Everything Jersey
Copyright: 2008, The Star Ledger
Contact: Joe Donohue, jdonohue@starledger.com
Website: Patients state their case for marijuana use- NJ.com
Scott Ward of Robbinsville, a former Marine who has MS, told the committee that minimal daily use of marijuana has drastically improved his qualify of life.
"We all are living proof that this is effective. This is common sense," he said.
Ward testified in support of Assemblyman Reed Gusciora's bill (A804), which would give a measure of legal protection to seriously ill residents who smoke marijuana to ease their pain or symptoms.
The committee was not scheduled to vote on the issue. Gusciora (D-Mercer) said he will consider changes and consult with Assembly leaders before deciding what to do next. A state Senate committee gathered testimony on a similar bill two years ago but never took action on it.
"This doesn't make marijuana rampant in society," said Gusciora, who is also an assistant municipal prosecutor and who championed the state law banning cigarette smoking in restaurants and bars. "Medical marijuana should be a last resort when all other drugs do not work."
Twelve states have legalized the practice, beginning with California in 1996, while two others have reduced criminal penalties. The federal government still considers marijuana use a crime even in those states, but Gusciora said most federal prosecutions involve major pushers.
David Evans, a Flemington attorney and a cancer survivor who once endorsed the practice, said he now believes the medicinal use movement is a front for groups who want broader legalization of marijuana. "You might do more harm by passing this bill than by not passing this bill," he said.
A representative of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence - New Jersey said the Food and Drug Administration has refused to approve the practice because officials there are dubious about health benefits and fearful of the potential for abuse. "Allowing marijuana to be used for medical purposes will lead to increased access and perceived availability to those that are not authorized to use it," said Candice Singer.
SPECIAL ID CARDS
Under Gusciora's bill, the state Department of Health and Senior Services would establish a list of patients eligible to use marijuana for medical reasons. Gusciora said it would mainly apply to people with terminal or chronic conditions such as MS, cancer or AIDS. They would receive a special identification card that would allow them to possess no more than six marijuana plants and one ounce of usable marijuana. It would not prevent police from arresting them, but it would give them a strong defense. Most states use this approach, Gusciora said.
Assemblywoman Joan Quigley (D-Hudson) said she is concerned people still would have to depend on illegal sources to obtain the drug. She said the state should set up a way for medical marijuana to be distributed by licensed pharmacies. "If we're going to legalize it, let's legalize it all the way," she said.
But Gusciora said that would be difficult since the federal government still regards marijuana use as a crime.
Gerry McGrath of Robbinsville is a registered nurse whose son, Sean, died of cancer. She said marijuana made his life more bearable before he died in 2004.
"This should not be a legal issue. Let doctors, nurses and families care for the sick and dying without the fear of police crashing down their door and arresting them," she said. Marijuana was the cheapest, least toxic and most effective drug Sean used, added McGrath's husband, Don. The bill also was endorsed by the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.
But even a bill co-sponsor, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen), expressed concerns, saying she wonders how to put controls on medical marijuana use so it will not influence children.
Source: NJ.com: Everything Jersey
Copyright: 2008, The Star Ledger
Contact: Joe Donohue, jdonohue@starledger.com
Website: Patients state their case for marijuana use- NJ.com
