New Jersey's Marijuana Debate Will Be Decided By The 2009 Gubernatorial Election

[Jim Finnel]

Just when we thought that New Jersey would be the fourteenth state to ratify laws lifting the ban on medical marijuana, a new obstacle has appeared to slow it down. Incumbent Governor Jon Corzine, who said he would sign the bill into law, is facing an uphill battle against Republican candidate Chris Christie, who opposes the measure. The fate of bill S-119, it seems, rests on the November 2nd, 2009 election results.

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which was introduced by state senator Nicholas Scutari, passed the senate on February 23rd by a vote of 22-16. The bill states that only people suffering from “debilitating medical conditions” may seek a prescription for marijuana from their doctors. A debilitating medical condition refers to “cancer, glaucoma, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS]…cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe or chronic pain; severe nausea [and] seizures.” When interviewed by The New Jersey Star Ledger on the purpose of the bill, Scutari said, “We are not talking about drug addicts and thrill-seekers -- we are talking about desperately sick people in need of relief.”

Soon after the senate passed the bill, Governor Jon Corzine went on WNYC radio to pledge his support. Since then, a number of committees, groups, and lobbyists have announced their support of its passage in the Assembly, including; the New Jersey State Nurses Association, the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians, the New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, and the New Jersey League for Nursing.

New Jersey Republicans, however, are not so keen on the idea of partially legalizing a recreational drug. Gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie expressed his opposition to the bill in a radio interview with NJ 101.5 on March 19th. David Evans, the executive director of the Drug Free School Coalition said to the NJ Star Ledger, “This is dressed up as compassion but this bill is way, way too loose…It will be too easy to get marijuana.”

The Assembly plans to vote on the measure this Thursday, June 4th. If it passes, the bill will head to the governor’s desk. If Corzine is still in office this November, New Jersey will become the fourteenth state to legalize medical marijuana, another big step towards legalization and taxation on a national level. If he is ousted by Christie, however, New Jersey and the United States as a whole will have to wait a little bit longer.


News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: Examiner.com
Author: Matthew Brinn
Copyright: 2009 Clarity Digital Group LLC
Contact: Contact Us
Website: Atlantic County Drug Policy Examiner: New Jersey's marijuana debate will be decided by the 2009 gubernatorial election

 

[Pythaglio]

So what, there's no way to get it passed and signed into law before the next governor is sworn in?

 

[CharlieMopps]

it just got passed 7-1 out of comittee and is heading to the general assembly now. It got changed from the version the senate passed so they will have to vote on it again but it is now much stricter and if anything it will be even more acceptable to conservative politicians.

 

[Surf Striper]

New Jersey Republicans, however, are not so keen on the idea of partially legalizing a recreational drug. Gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie expressed his opposition to the bill in a radio interview with NJ 101.5 on March 19th. David Evans, the executive director of the Drug Free School Coalition said to the NJ Star Ledger, "This is dressed up as compassion but this bill is way, way too loose...It will be too easy to get marijuana."

ASS yep, it sure is hard to got pot now. Yes hard for people that need it. Others just call there friendly dealer and pay outrages prices and risk arrest.

 

[Keith Lake]

New Jersey Republicans, however, are not so keen on the idea of partially legalizing a recreational drug.

This says it all doesn't it?

Better that sick people not have relief, we can't have people getting high for fun

come on Corzine, hang in there Gov

 

[CharlieMopps]

I don't think corzine will have much trouble in the election. His popularity has slipped a little in the last month, but he still has the lead. He's done a good job making hard decisions thru the recession, i'm sure he'll pull thru and sing the compassionate use act into law.

 

[jaymay]

I don't think corzine will have much trouble in the election. His popularity has slipped a little in the last month, but he still has the lead. He's done a good job making hard decisions thru the recession, i'm sure he'll pull thru and sing the compassionate use act into law.

I hope you're right about Corzine, but the polls I've seen show asshole Christie with a substantial lead.

The way the law has been amended I almost could care less if it passes or not. I'll be breaking it anyway, even though I'm one of the patients who would still qualify. They removed almost all qualifying conditions but MS and chemo, and they nixed any provision for home-growing or private co-ops and you would have to buy(at top dollar, no doubt) from one of six state run centers. Bummer, because I was so excited that I might get to be a law-abiding citizen.

 

[Keith Lake]

Well said JayMay

The New Jersey legislature should read your post