Pubdate: Sat, 08 Jun 2013
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA)
Copyright: 2013 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc
Contact:  http://www.philly.com/inquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340
Page: B2

MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM IS CRITICIZED

TRENTON (AP)- Patients, families, and advocates gathered Friday to
highlight what they say is New Jersey's failure to meaningfully
implement the state's medical marijuana program. They say the current
system is restrictive and expensive.

About two dozen people - many of whom spoke about troubles with the
medical marijuana law - met to push lawmakers toward reforming
regulations.

Many complained about there being only one fully functional dispensary
in Montclair, which for some is a five-hour road trip. A second
dispensary in Egg Harbor Township received a permit Thursday to start
growing the crop. It is not expected to open until September. The
state's medical marijuana law was signed in 2010.

The mother of a 2-year-old Scotch Plains girl with severe epilepsy
gave emotional testimony describing her daughter's condition. Meghan
Wilson said her daughter, Vivian, would greatly benefit from a higher
strain of the drug in a liquid form that is not available.

Vivian's story inspired a bill that passed in the state Senate that
would ease restrictions on children having access to medical
marijuana. Wilson said pharmaceuticals are not working. She said she
believes access to appropriate medical marijuana would improve
Vivian's conditions "and, best of all, allow her to be a kid."

In response to Vivian's case, the state Department of Health offered
the family a list of physicians, including psychiatrists, registered
with the program.

Diane Fornbacher of Collingswood said she would greatly benefit from
medical marijuana for post-traumatic stress disorder, but said the
state does not qualify it as a debilitating medical condition required
to become a registered user.

"It is not a medical marijuana program," Fornbacher said. "I don't
know what it is, aside from a failure."
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MAP posted-by: Matt