Changes to Medical Marijuana for Kids Act 'Not Ideal,' Bill Sponsor Says

Assemblywoman Linda Stender, who first proposed the bill that eases medical marijuana access for NJ minors said Monday's final legislative approval of the bill was "a step forward" but still is not ideal after Gov. Christie's changes to the original. 

After hearing their story, Stender, whose office is in Scotch Plains, was compelled to act, quickly drafting a bill that would eliminate the hurdles the Wilson's faced. After much pressure and a confrontation with Brian Wilson, Gov. Christie did give conditional approval to the bill, with adjustments to allow for certain limitations to be lifted, but he maintained the restrictions regarding prescribers.

“For Vivian and many children like her, marijuana may be the only treatment that can provide life-changing relief,” said Stender (D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union).  “As a state, we should not stand in the way of that and today's vote is definitely a step forward. While not the ideal legislation I would like to have seen enacted, there are a number of components in this bill that will still make this program work better for children who are desperately in need of relief.”

“Since this law was first drafted we have tried to live up to its name by making sure that the ‘compassion’ in the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Law remains in tact,” said Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon), one of the lead sponsors of the original law creating New Jersey’s medical marijuana program and a co-sponsor of the bill.  “Whether it’s children, senior citizens, or anyone suffering from a debilitating or life-threatening illness, we want to make sure that relief is provided in the manner most suitable to the individual while remaining within the strict confines of the law. This bill will help make the program work better for children in a number of ways, however, I’m disappointed that the Governor decided to strike out several components that would have helped make life easier for both sick children and the elderly.”

"Vivian’s story is heartbreaking and I sympathize fully with her parents’ efforts to provide her with as much comfort and relief as possible. That was intended to be the essence of our Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana law,” said Stender.  “This measure will help ensure that New Jersey residents who are suffering with severe illnesses, regardless of age, are not prevented from accessing medicine the law was intended to provide. This is the compassionate thing to do and the right thing to do.”

“It saddens me that parents will continue to have to find a psychiatrist to approve the participation in the program unless the child is mentally ill,” added Stender. “In the case of Vivian it would have made more sense to require a neurologist given the nature of her disease, not a psychiatric evaluation. This shows an unwillingness on the governor’s part to trust parents of a sick child, in consultation with their physician, and only serves to create a contrived need that causes further roadblocks and expenses. Once again the Governor has chosen to protect his future aspirations over helping his constituents.”