Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Trenton), a prime sponsor of New Jersey’s Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, issued the following statement in response to Governor Christie’s announcement today that New Jersey will begin implementation of its medical marijuana program:
“The long-awaited green light for New Jersey’s medical marijuana program marks a monumental day for people in New Jersey who have been patiently awaiting relief.
“Roughly a year and a half after the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law by Governor Corzine, we are now seeing it being put into action. With six operating, stand-alone dispensaries dispersed among the regions, we are affording people greater access to the care that they need in their time of pain.
“As the sponsor of the original bill, I had hoped for some of the restrictions to be lifted. However, as I said all along, I would rather we address these issues over the long-term so that we can get the program up and running as quickly as possible. I am confident that other aspects of the law, like the THC strength, will be continually evaluated throughout the process by the Department of Health and Human Services and I look forward to hearing their findings down the road,” said Gusciora.