Today, there are 13 states which have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. While most of these states are in the Western part of the County, our neighboring states of Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont are part of this progressive group. See, http://medicalmarijuana..procon.org/viewresource.asp?resourceID=881, for a good analysis of the law in these states. Now, it appears that New Jersey may soon join the ranks of this growing number of enlightened and humanitarian state governments.
Recently, the New Jersey Senate passed the "Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act" which will allow physicians to prescribe marijuana to assist with the problems caused by conditions like cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS and other illnesses that produce severe and chronic pain. Candidates will be issued identification cards and may be able to grow or produce up to six marijuana plants and one ounce of the drug provided they are diagnosed with a qualifying condition by a licensed physician who has had a prior physician/patient relationship with the candidate.
No matter what may result from this noble effort, it must be recognized that the federal Drug Enforcement Administration refuses to recognize the legitimacy of these state laws and continues to arrest and prosecute violators under federal statutes. Recent rumblings from the Obama administration seems to suggest some relief from this myopic position. Only the future will tell, however.
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