Pubdate: Thu, 09 Aug 2012
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
Copyright: 2012 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.philly.com/inquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340
Author: Jan Hefler

N.J. MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS CAN GET ID CARDS THIS WEEK

More than two years after New Jersey legislators passed a law 
allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana, patients qualified 
to receive the drug may register for identification cards beginning Thursday.

That doesn't mean they will soon receive a prescription for cannabis.

The state Department of Health has granted preliminary approval to 
just six nonprofit marijuana dispensaries, and only one is expected 
to have the drug available by next month.

The Greenleaf Compassion Center in Montclair, Essex County, announced 
a few months ago that it would likely harvest a crop in September, 
but it has not received final approval to sell the drug to patients.

Another dispensary owner has said he plans to open for business in 
Egg Harbor, Atlantic County, in October if he receives approval.

The rest of the would-be dispensary operators - including one who 
hopes to set up in South Jersey - are still trying to find sites and 
obtain local permits.

For months, the dispensary owners have prodded the state to begin the 
registration process so patients can be ready to buy the drug as soon 
as crops are processed.

Julio Valentin, an owner of the Greenleaf Compassion Center, said in 
April he had been reluctant to begin growing, given the uncertainty 
about when the registry would open.

"I'm very happy. I'm looking forward to serving the people of New 
Jersey," Valentin said Wednesday.

He said he expected his crop to be ready to dispense next month, and 
plans to meet with state officials soon to obtain final approvals to 
open for business.

Patients with qualifying medical conditions - such as terminal 
cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, and Crohn's disease - can apply 
for identification cards after their condition has been evaluated by 
a doctor registered with the medical marijuana program. Qualified 
caregivers also will be issued cards.

Patients may register on the department's Web page at 
https://njmmp.nj.gov/njmmp/index.html . Patients can call 
609-292-0424 for information.

Seventeen states and Washington, D.C., have legalized marijuana for 
medical use, though selling and using the drug remains a violation of 
federal law.

About 150 doctors have registered with New Jersey to prescribe the 
drug. In Burlington County, participating physicians are James 
Crudele in Moorestown and Edward Tobe in Marlton. In Camden County, 
they are Mark Angelo of Voorhees, Sherita Latimore Collier of Camden, 
Marshall Lauer of Collingswood, and Julius Mingroni of Blackwood.

In Gloucester County, they are Daniel Abesh of Sewell, and Peter 
Corda, Vannette Perkins, and Jeffrey Polcer, all of Williamstown.

"The opening of a patient registry is a crucial and welcome step. . . 
. This represents the light at the end of the tunnel," said 
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D., Mercer), a primary sponsor of the 
medical marijuana law.

A registration card costs $200 and is valid for two years. Patients 
on assistance programs, such as Medicare or Medicaid, will pay $20.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom