Medical Marijuana

The lead article in today’s New York Times is titled, “New Jersey Vote Backs Marijuana for Severely Ill.” It describes the passage of a new law by the New Jersey State government to allow the distribution of marijuana to suffering citizens, with multiple restrictions.

The restrictions include a set list of diseases, a prohibition of patients growing their own marijuana, a limit of two ounces per month and strict tracking of the drug similar to the procedure followed for opiates and methadone. The bill garnered wide support from both Democrats and Republicans despite opposition from some law enforcement officials, educators and Governor-elect Chris Christie.

In my opinion, the law is a test of maturity. Despite all the jokes about marijuana, this law is not about some teenagers getting high. It is about people who are really suffering, sometimes terminally, who are treating a specific set of symptoms. The law is also a test of compassion. It involves empathy for very sick people and does not concern any ideological position.

As an indication of the law’s intent, you just need to look at the terrible diseases it is aimed at: cancer, AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, muscular dystrophy and sclerosis. The law will set up six locations to receive the drug, and they will open in about nine months.