Christie Administration Compromises On Medical Marijuana Law
TRENTON, NJ (CBS) -- The Christie administration has struck a deal with a key legislative supporter of New Jersey's "medical marijuana" law that will allow state regulations to proceed, getting the drug into the hands of those who truly need it within the next several months.
Legislators upset with the rules developed by the health commissioner were ready to scrap them altogether. That could have delayed implementation for two years or more, and Governor Chris Christie saw no good in that.
"This agreement, I think, reflects a good-faith compromise on the best way to move forward on a responsible, medically based program that will avoid the significant fraud and criminal diversion problems other states have experienced," the governor said on Friday.
There will be a half-dozen growth and distribution centers, two of them in South Jersey. Rules will also be relaxed on when a physician can prescribe the drug.
The deal means that medical marijuana could be available by next summer, although it was cut with the Assembly's lead sponsor alone (Reed Gusciora, D-Mercer County, third from left in photo) -- his state Senate colleague was not included. But Christie does not think that exclusion will put a crimp in the compromise.
Reported by David Madden, KYW Newsradio 1060.
