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Christie: Rutgers Medical Marijuana Plan 'Disjointed'

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS 2/AP) -- Gov. Chris Christie says Rutgers University's leadership on his medical marijuana plan is "disjointed."

Christie says he was surprised New Jersey's largest university turned down the opportunity to be the lone grower of the state's medical marijuana crop.

A week ago, Rutgers said it was declining Christie's request because marijuana's status as an illegal drug would jeopardize federal funding to the school.

A message left for a Rutgers University spokesman was not immediately returned Friday.

The controversy over medical marijuana has  been plaguing the Garden state for some time – but most notably since last January, when the state's lawmakers first approved the use of the drug, depending on patient eligibility.

The measure passed the state Assembly just after the New Year, welcomed by praise from the chronically ill patients who have been using it for appetite stimulation and pain control.

"Basically I was a criminal in my Garden State," said Nancy Fedder of Hillsborough, N.J. "I'm not a criminal anymore."
(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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