Pubdate: Sun, 10 Jul 2011
Source: Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ)
Copyright: 2011 Newark Morning Ledger Co
Contact:  http://www.nj.com/starledger/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/424
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE: STOP STALLING ON NJ'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM

Gov. Chris Christie's been stalling on the state's medical marijuana 
program for very sick and dying patients, saying it won't move 
forward until federal authorities assure him there won't be arrests 
or prosecutions.

It's a needless delay tactic. After all, the Obama administration has 
repeatedly indicated it won't prosecute those who abide by their 
state's medical marijuana programs. (Marijuana violates federal laws, 
even though 16 states have made it legal for some medical purposes.)

But in any case, now our governor has his answer: If the program's 
operation is kept small and controlled, it's not likely to warrant 
any action by federal law enforcement. That's what a recent memo from 
the U.S. deputy attorney general, forwarded to state Attorney General 
Paula Dow, strongly indicates.

So unless you're raking in millions of dollars or engaged in 
suspicious activity, your medical marijuana facility won't be of 
interest to the feds. They'd rather use their limited resources on 
threats to public safety: In Montana, federal authorities conducted 
raids on 26 medical marijuana dispensaries in 13 cities because there 
was "probable cause" they were involved in illegal, large-scale 
trafficking. Those facilities weren't licensed by the state.

In New Mexico, which has smaller scale, well-regulated, 
state-licensed dispensaries, there's been no interference from the 
federal government. No state workers have ever been threatened with 
prosecution.

That's because the feds aren't interested in chasing after people 
with terminal illnesses using marijuana, or those responsibly growing 
it for them.

Six nonprofit companies already have been approved to grow and sell 
the drug in New Jersey, and they're preparing to get started sometime 
this summer or fall. More than 80 percent of New Jerseyans favor 
medical marijuana, and it's an issue with strong bipartisan support.

So no more excuses, Governor. Quit the foot-dragging and make this 
drug available to those who need it -- fast.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom