Pubdate: Wed, 18 Sep 2013
Source: Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ)
Copyright: 2013 Newark Morning Ledger Co
Contact:  http://www.nj.com/starledger/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/424
Author: Salvador Rizzo

N.J. APPEALS COURT TO HEAR CASE ALLEGING CHRISTIE'S ADMINISTRATION 
SABOTAGED MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM

MOUNT HOLLY - A lawsuit alleging that Gov. Chris Christie's 
administration has sabotaged New Jersey's medical marijuana program 
with long delays and missed reports will be heard at a state appeals 
court this morning.

The three-judge panel sitting in Mount Holly will hear arguments 
today by attorneys for Richard Caporusso, a patient from Burlington 
County who says he has to travel 166 miles to the only dispensary in 
Montclair to fill his prescription because the state has dragged its 
feet approving others.

Caporusso and a doctor also allege that New Jersey health officials 
should have written two annual reports on the program, which under 
state law would allow patients to petition the health department to 
add more qualifying illnesses, according to the lawsuit.

They also want the state to throw out the approvals of any dispensary 
operators who have not succeeded in finding a location and passing a 
background check and they are asking the court to appoint the 
Coalition for Medical Marijuana of New Jersey as the program monitor.

The state Attorney General's Office sought to get the lawsuit thrown 
out, but Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson in Mercer County said the 
case could proceed and sent it directly to the Appellate Division, 
where challenges to state agencies are heard.

The Christie administration last week signaled stronger support for 
the medical marijuana program when the state's Economic Development 
Authority approved approved a $357,000 loan to a medicinal marijuana 
dispensary in Egg Harbor Township that is scheduled to open in mid-October.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom