The medical marijuana saga continues
If you are a victim of one of the few illnesses included in the NJ medical marijuana act, press one. Governor Christie may be with you shortly; or may not.
The Law, which was signed into effect on the last day of Governor Corzine’s administration, has not been launched by Governor Christie. If you reside under the rock next to the GEICO guy, the Governor’s latest position is he wants assurances from the Obama administration that state workers assigned to carrying out the act will not be prosecuted by the federal government.
Deputy U.S. Attorney Cole’s memo
NJ Attorney General Dow wrote a letter to the Obama administration seeking clarification of the government’s position on prosecuting state employees. Cole sent a memo to all state attorney general’s commenting on the government’s position, but did not specifically address the issue raised in the Dow letter about state employees. According to an article published in the NJ Star Ledger, after reviewing a copy of the Cole memo:
The Obama administration said in a 2009 memo that going after medical marijuana users and their caregivers would not be a priority for federal law enforcement. Cole’s letter says that remains true. But the letter also says the administration is concerned about the increase of large-scale growers and sellers.
“There has been an increase in the scope of commercial cultivation, sale, distribution, and use of marijuana for purported medical purposes,” the letter states. “For example, within the past 12 months, several jurisdictions have considered or enacted legislation to authorize multiple, large-scale, privately operated industrial marijuana cultivation centers. Some of these planned facilities have revenue projections of millions of dollars based on the planned cultivation of tens of thousands of cannabis plants.”
This memo is being reviewed by NJ AG Dow to arrive at a decision because it does not specifically respond to her inquiry regarding the criminal culpability of state workers in administrating the law
Governor Christie’s position
Commentary
The NJ Star Ledger recently published a blistering editorial condemning Christie’s actions.
Gov. Chris Christie’s been stalling on the state’s medical marijuana program for very sick and dying patients, saying it won’t move forward until federal authorities assure him there won’t be arrests or prosecutions. It’s a needless delay tactic…
In my humble opinion, Governor Bluto is behaving true to form. Our tough minded gov does not support this legislation and is doing everything in his considerable power to erect roadblocks. I guess the voters in need of this compassionate legislation don’t carry enough weight to influence our governor. Does Christie really believe the Obama administration intends to prosecute NJ authorized medical marijuana dispensaries? Watch out for the Christie drug cartel. Come on governor.
Read more…
Dow Queries Feds on State Workers’ Liability Under Medical-Marijuana Law
Is Medical Marijuana Legal in N.J.?
