New Jersey Becomes The 14th State To Legalize Medicinal Marijuana

by Ryan P. Christiano

The New Jersey legislator passed the The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. Outgoing Governor Jon Corzine, vacating office next week, will sign the Act into law.

Governor-Elect Chris Christie is also supportive of the measure. He has pledged to oversee the implementation of the program once he takes the reigns of power next week.

From Phily2Phily.com:

New Jersey Goes Green! Passes Medical Marijuana Bill

For what is a victory for many cancer sufferers and libertarians, the New Jersey legislature has passed a bill which will allow marijuana to be prescribed for medicinal purposes. And, Governor Corzine has announced that he will pass it before leaving office next week.

What is more shocking though is that Governor-elect Chris Christie (who is very conservative) said he supports the measure as long as it's used for the intended purpose; helping sick people. What he opposes are loopholes in the measure, which can lead to abuses of the law.

There are now calls from all quarters of the state to pardon John Ray Wilson, the subject of an article in this publication several weeks ago, who was convicted of the lesser included charges in his indictment over a week ago (link to previous article here?).

Many legislators are now urging either Governor Corzine or incoming Governor Christie to pardon Mr. Wilson. They argue that the charges he was convicted of have now essentially been legalized in the state, as of yesterday, with this new law.

New Jersey, now somewhat surprisingly, becomes the first state in the Northeastern portion of the United States to legalize medicinal marijuana. Chronically ill and terminally ill patients are restricted to no more than two ounces of medicinal marijuana per month. All patients must be under a physician's strict supervision, and may only obtain medicinal marijuana by prescription.

The New Jersey Libertarian Party, along with The Coalition for Medical Marijuana in New Jersey (CMMNJ), hailed the long sought legislative achievement as a triumph for individual liberty.

The fight to pardon Mr. Wilson for an offense that is now technically legal in the state goes forth. Any Executive Pardon is not anticipated until after the Christie Administration takes office next week.

Editor's Note: Ryan Christiano has been active in the Marijuana Medicinal movement. He is also a longtime contributor to Libertarian Republican, a member of the Libertarian Defense Caucus, and a former staffer for McCain for President 2008