MARIJUANA LEGAL IN NEW JERSEY? FINALLY!!!!!

Medical marijuana that is! I never thought that I'd see the day where you'd be able to buy pot legally anywhere, let alone New Jersey. I mean, not that it benefits me or anything. Today, I was going to write about that brother and sister duo who got caught trying to steal a flat screen TV from a Boston bar, but when they got caught, they claimed they were having sex. I chose this story because that one was gross and those siblings were just dumb! Plus, any chance that I get to write about marijuana, count me in! Anyway, it turns out; medical marijuana can now be sold legally in New Jersey's first-ever state-sanctioned dispensary called the Greenleaf Compassion Center in Montclair, NJ.

New Jersey regulators granted the shop a permit to begin selling marijuana this past Monday, which ended a long, fought political battle that forced terminally ill patients to wait years for a legal drug to be available in 17 other states. One NJ health commissioner said that this permit marks a significant step forward in the implementation of New Jersey's Medical Marijuana Program.

The facility has faced a number of obstacles since then NJ Governor Jon Corzine signed a medical marijuana bill into law in January 2010. That law was originally intended to go into effect later that summer, but when Governor Christie was elected into office that law was delayed as the Republican and state Health Department took steps to limit federal prosecution and craft a set of strict regulations. In other words, they wanted to make sure everything was in order and legal before they went ahead with this. The Greenleaf site was issued an occupancy certificate late because of issues with an air conditioner, but was granted permission to start growing in April.

 As early as this week, patients and their caregivers will receive ID cards from the state's Medicinal Marijuana Program. Roughly 320 (make that 321!) have already started the registration process, and more than 175 physicians have registered. You know there's going to be counterfeit ID cards made and sold for people to buy this medical weed legally. It will be interesting to see how this whole thing unfolds. The NJ health commissioner is calling this a 'new product' and said that some patients may want to make limited purchases at first, until they know which of the three available varieties best meets their needs. Screw that! Buy it all! If it doesn't meet your needs, it can meet someone else’s! The development was met with cheers by many patients with serious illnesses and pot smokers alike. This is a huge step towards legalization. Um, so I am told. 

Of, the states that have legalized marijuana, New Jersey has the country's strictest medical marijuana restrictions stating that only patients with severe illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma (I think my dad has that! Looks like I'm a lucky boy today!) and terminal cancer will be able to purchase the drug and the state will closely regulate its potency. That's pretty strict. I guess no Maui Wowie will be sold at the Greenleaf! Who cares? Pot is finally, somewhat, legal in New Jersey! Let's celebrate at 4:20 everybody!