Pubdate: Sun, 23 Dec 2012
Source: Times, The (Trenton, NJ)
Copyright: 2012 The Times
Contact:  http://www.nj.com/times/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/458

MEDICAL MARIJUANA FINALLY REACHES THE HANDS OF THOSE SUFFERING IN N.J.

It's been nearly a week since the first medical marijuana dispensary 
opened its doors in New Jersey. So far, there has been no sign of 
reefer madness on the streets of Montclair where the Greenleaf 
Compassion Center has set up its innocuous storefront.

More importantly, the first patients are finding relief from their 
chronic pain with the low-grade strains of marijuana approved by the state.

One of those initial patients is Susan Sturner of Lawrence who 
devoted most of a day last week to the 100- mile round trip to the 
distribution center in Essex County. Sturner, who suffers from 
glaucoma and its side effects of intense headache and nausea, 
returned with a half-ounce of pot to ingest by smoking and brewing tea.

In an interview with Times staffer Christina Izzo, Sturner described 
the painful and frustrating journey that led her finally to a safe 
treatment for easing her symptoms and lessening the pressure on her 
optic nerves.

Also diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, fibromyalgia and 
hepatitis C, Sturner was not eligible for the state's medical 
marijuana program until her glaucoma became severe.

Worried about going blind and facing surgery with no guarantee of 
success, Sturner also is unable to use eye medications due to 
allergies. She's found an answer in the small quantity of pot that 
cost $260 - as well as the 7 percent state tax.

Now that the program is up and running - and none of the nightmare 
scenarios predicted by opponents of the dispensaries has materialized 
- - we hope that the other five nonprofits with permission to open 
centers will have better success in convincing municipalities that 
they represent not a threat but therapy.

While another center is expected to open in Egg Harbor, that location 
still will be an inconvenience for Central Jersey patients.

The Obama administration recently said it will not prosecute 
dispensaries that comply with state laws even though the federal 
government considers marijuana illegal. As the scouting for a 
Trenton-area location continues, perhaps that promise will allay some 
of the fears and opposition expressed at various hearings.

Two things we'd like to suggest for the Legislature's January to-do list:

Reconsider the tax that's out of place in a state where other 
prescription medications and over-the-counter remedies such as cough 
medicine are exempt.

And consider expanding the list of chronic conditions and illnesses 
eligible for treatment to help other New Jersey residents suffering needlessly.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom