Pubdate: Thu, 27 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
Author: Jan Hefler
Page: B2

MARIJUANA PATIENTS NOW AT 1,000; MOST JUST WAIT

Burlco Buzz

Without fanfare, the New Jersey Health Department reported last week
that 1,000 patients are now registered to receive medical marijuana.
It's hardly a milestone. Due to a shortage of dispensaries and several
delays in the state program, only about 130 patients have actually
been able to buy cannabis.

Many patients are upset. Medical marijuana was legalized 31/2 years
ago for compassionate use. Only patients with serious illnesses and
diseases, including terminal cancer, AIDS, epilepsy, and MS, qualify
for its use. Most still cannot get it.

One patient, a former corrections officer, has sued the state for the
delays, claiming he is suffering while the state imposes restrictive
regulations that he says have led to the opening of only one
dispensary. That dispensary sells only to North Jersey patients and
has said it is overwhelmed by the demand.

Eighteen other states and the District of Columbia have legalized the
drug for sick people. According to ProCon, a nonprofit dedicated to
data collection and research on social issues, there were about one
million marijuana patients nationwide as of December, including 4,466
in Rhode Island and 107,666 in Colorado. At that time, New Jersey had
239 registered patients.

There is no nationwide breakdown of how many have actually been able
to purchase cannabis, but New Jersey's regulations are the country's
strictest.

Earlier this week, the Legislature passed a bill to smooth the way for
severely sick children to get cannabis. So far none have gotten it,
though it is legal for minors in New Jersey to obtain it. Under
current rules, only smokable marijuana, lozenges, and lotions are
allowed. The parents of children with epilepsy told lawmakers that
edible cannabis is easier to administer because it can be mixed into
butter.

A 2-year-old who has been hospitalized 20 times - for seizures that
last up to an hour - is on the patient list. She has a state-issued
card saying she's entitled to receive cannabis. But she too is waiting.
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MAP posted-by: Matt