Pubdate: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 Source: Montclarion, The (US NJ Edu) Copyright: 2010 The Montclarion Contact: http://www.themontclarion.org/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5025 Author: Nicole Simonetti MEDICAL MARIJUANA CAUSES MORE CONTROVERSIES Governor Chris Christie plans to put restrictions on the medical marijuana bill put in place almost a year ago. Last January former governor Jon Corzine signed a bill that made New Jersey the 14th state to legalize medical marijuana for individuals with cancer and other serious diseases. The push to make medical marijuana legal stems from the benefits it provides patients. It has been proven to relieve pain, increase appetite, reduce anxiety and improve sleep. While these purposes are allowing patients to smoke cannabis, Christie's administration worries recreational users could benefit from the legalization as well. That is why the restrictions have been established. Christie's administration believes that by controlling the potency of the marijuana, they can keep recreational users away. Potency is based on the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that exists in the plant. THC essentially makes a smoker "high." The highest level of potency New Jersey will allow its medical marijuana to be at is 10. This level was chosen based on studies done by McGill University Health Centre in Canada and University of California at San Diego. Within these studies patients reacted positively to THC levels under 10. The THC restrictions may have unintended consequences. Most cannabis that can be found on the streets has a potency level between 15 and 20; knowing they can illegally purchase more potent marijuana off the streets may deter patients from getting a prescription. Additionally, New Jersey will not offer the use of marijuana-laced foods, "weed brownies." Many of the other states that legalized medical marijuana, like California, have authorized the sale of such foods. By providing marijuana-laced foods, particularly baked goods and ice creams, patients are given another form of ingesting THC. Some patients may not feel comfortable smoking cannabis and would prefer to just eat it. Christie's administration has denied that option to New Jersey's patients. Lieutenant Kieran Barrett of Montclair State University police department believes that these restrictions stem from less strict states, such as California. "You could actually buy the stuff in vending machines," Barrett said. California's medical marijuana law is relatively unrestrictive. For starters, patients can get prescriptions for it easily on the west coast whereas only critically ill patients can be prescribed marijuana in New Jersey. Patients suffering from cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, epilepsy and other diseases all fall under the category of being able to obtain medical marijuana. If they are in fact prescribed it, an identification card will be issued that must be on them at all times. While New Jersey is trying to come up with a database that keeps track of patients prescribed cannabis and their progress, Montclair State is also trying to figure out a system for future students who may be using it. "We're trying to figure out some kind of system that allows us to know they're definitely prescribed to it so we can handle the situation the right way," Barrett said. He also explained that it would have to be a community effort within the campus community if students were to be prescribed medical marijuana. As law enforcers, if the MSUPD smells the distinct odor of marijuana they wil investigate the situation. It would be reassuring to know for sure if that particular student is prescribed marijuana so that "everyone can help," according to Barrett. It is clear that residence halls could possibly be affected by this new legislation, but the campus is prepared to do what they have to for the students who may be prescribed medical marijuana. "We will want to know who is prescribed, allow them their privacy and see if there is anyway we can help," Barrett said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake