Although 14 states, including New Jersey, have laws allowing for medical marijuana access, registered patients still run the risk of federal prohibitions. But there is a piece of federal legislation that has been gaining support. The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act, introduced by Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, is currently active as HR 2835.
Yesterday, New Jersey State Senator Nicholas Scutari, who sponsored the NJ medical marijuana law, introduced a resolution that would compel the Governor to support HR 2835. A press release was issued from the NJ Senate Democrats:
“We need to be sure that New Jerseyans who comply with our medical marijuana law are not at risk of being harassed, arrested or prosecuted by federal law enforcement officials,” said Senator Scutari, the prime sponsor of the “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.” “With this measure, we will send a unified message to the federal government that we support the rights of states with medical marijuana laws to carry them out, and that we believe patients deserve protections. We will also respectfully urge the Governor to join our effort to protect patients in New Jersey who are suffering with debilitating illnesses and seeking a small measure of relief through the medicinal use of marijuana.” READ FULL
Ken Wolski, Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) said today, “We welcome this opportunity for legislators to stand up for our patients. We can help remove the stigma of federal criminalization for legitimate medical marijuana patients."
In 2009 Congressman Frank and HR 2835 co-sponsor Congressman Ron Paul of Texas appeared on my radio program to talk about the bill: The interviews are online at the Public Radio Exchange:
Congressman Frank - http://www.prx.org/pieces/34982
Congressman Paul - http://www.prx.org/pieces/34992
More about medical marijuana in New Jersey at www.cmmnj.org
Read the full text of NJ's medical marijuana law http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/307_.HTM
by Chris Goldstein, the Philadelphia NORML Examiner. Chris is on the Board of Directors at CMMNJ. He may be contacted through media@cmmnj.org
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Comments
Just so you know, the hyperlink to "The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act" is messed up. It directs you to http://http//capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=13532281 But it should not have two http's, instead it should just be http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=13532281
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