New Jersey to legalize medical marijuana

The New York Times: "The New Jersey Legislature approved a measure on Monday that would make the state the 14th in the nation, but one of the few on the East Coast, to legalize the use of marijuana to help patients with chronic illnesses. The measure — which would allow patients diagnosed with severe illnesses like cancer, AIDS, Lou Gehrig's disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis to have access to marijuana grown and distributed through state-monitored dispensaries — was passed by the General Assembly and State Senate on the final day of the legislative session" (Kocieniewski, 1/11).

The Philadelphia Inquirer: "Last February, the state Senate approved a medical-marijuana bill with bipartisan support. But after critics raised concerns that the bill could allow marijuana to become too readily available, sponsors tightened restrictions" (Lu, 1/12).

The Star-Ledger: "Gov. Jon Corzine has said he would sign the bill into law before he leaves office Jan. 19. ... The law would forbid people from growing their own marijuana, license 'alternate treatment centers' to dispense the drug, and require designated caretakers who retrieve the drug on behalf of a severely ill person to undergo criminal background checks" (1/11).