CLASH OVER MEDICAL MARIJUANA

They're against abortion.

Not keen on gay marriage.

And ready to change the makeup of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

But three Republican candidates for governor clashed Friday over the
legalization of medical marijuana, a proposal that moved closer this
week to becoming law.

Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie said as "a former law enforcement
guy," he believes more controls are needed over how marijuana would be
distributed so that it doesn't end up on the streets.

Former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan called it a "freedom and liberty"
issue, saying that he wholeheartedly supports the proposal.

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"I'm extremely concerned when I hear about law enforcement getting
between a doctor and their patient," Lonegan added. "I've seen people
suffering, terminally ill."

Christie shot back that he's seen suffering, too.

"I have seen the suffering that drug abuse and drug trafficking does
on our streets all over this state," he said.

Brian Levine, mayor of Franklin Township, Somerset County, said, as it
stands, the bill would send the drug to the ill without it going
through the proper channels.

"Right now, it's go smoke a couple joints, Levine said. "Everything
(else) you get is take this many milligrams this many times a day."

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The comments came as the three candidates addressed an economic
development group at Ram's Head Inn, in Galloway, where their
discussions included social issues, the economic condition of the state
and the decisions they would have the opportunity to make as governor:
including appointing two New Jersey Supreme Court justices, possibly a
third. A fourth Republican candidate, Assemblyman Richard Merkt, of
Morris County, did not attend.

"I would replace both of those justices with people who strictly
interpret the law and no longer legislate from the bench," said Christie.

Christie and Levine both said they would closely review the record of
the third judge before reappointment to be sure that he ruled strictly
by the law.

Lonegan said he would not reappoint the justice. He added that he
believes judges should be appointed to their first terms and reelected
to a second.

On abortion, Christie said he is pro-life and would express that
belief if elected governor, although he has said previously he would
not force a reversal of abortion rights.

Levine said he opposes partial-birth abortion, but indicated that he
would approach the issue of repealing abortion rights with caution out
of concern for women.

"I don't want them going to a back alley with a coat hanger," he said.
"And I don't want to throw them in jail because they decided to do
this."

Lonegan said he would seek to repeal abortion rights laws and looked
forward to the day when he saw Roe v. Wade overturned.

The candidates all said they opposed gay marriage. Christie and
Lonegan said they believed the issue should be decided by the voters.

Christie, Lonegan and Levine blamed the state's economic problems on
Corzine's fiscal policies.

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And while Corzine attended the Southern New Jersey Development Council
event later in the day, but had little interest in talking about the
race.

For his part, Corzine has said that he is focused on navigating the
state through the economic crisis. In his keynote address at the
event, he told about 200 people that tough choices are ahead in the
upcoming budget, which is projected to have a $6 billion to $ 7
billion shortfall.

"As you heard this morning, we do have an election coming up," Corzine
said in his only reference to the November election. "This is not the
easiest or the most attractive platform to be running on."

With regard to the issues, Corzine signed the bill to allow civil
unions and has said he would sign gay marriage legislation if it
reached his desk. He has also said he would sign the "Compassionate
Use Medical Marijuana Act," which would allow those with seriously
debilitating illnesses to grow marijuana or get it from a designated
alternative treatment center.

On Friday, he said the medical marijuana bill was not as important as
the economy, but said he supported the legislation that passed the
Senate.

"It's important for people who suffer at the end of life," Corzine
said. "And if this is the way they have some quality of living at the
end of life, and a doctor prescribes it, and it is purchased in the
ordinary course of a disciplined process, then I certainly wouldn't
stand in the way."

"And the fact is, that's what I think the senate bill does," he added.
"And I support it."