Piece Description

On June 4^th  the New Jersey Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee met to consider medical marijuana legislation for the Garden State and passed the bill in committee 8-1. The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act had passed a state Senate floor vote in February 22-16. The bill now goes to the full Assembly in the fall for what could be the final phase for the bill. Governor Corzine said he will sign it into law, if it reaches his desk.

New Mexico's medical cannabis program has been held as a new model for states because of the legislation enacted there and the regulation process overseen by the state Department of Health,  We interview Julie Roberts of the Drug Policy Alliance of New Mexico who were instrumental in passing the legislation and helping implement the program.

This Active Voice Radio show contains actuality audio from the NJ hearing on June 4, 2009. Hearing audio includes an ALS patient testifying in favor of the bill, my own public testimony, law enforcememt opposition and notes from the Committee Chair Assemblyman Conaway.

In the interview, Ms. Roberts of DPA-NM discusses the process of how patients register and obtain marijuana, details of the program's non profit cultivators and rules on home cultivation.

More info:
NJ
www.cmmnj.org

NM
 www.nmhealth.org/marijuana/htm