STATE MUST FIND ANOTHER GROWER

With Rutgers out as a medical marijuana cultivator, governor must
follow other states' lead.

In trying to have Rutgers University, a state institution, do all the
marijuana cultivating for the state's approved-but-not-yet-operational
medical marijuana program, it's clear what the goal was: Keep tight
government control over what is still an illegal drug.

Friday, Rutgers officials announced the university wants no part of
growing and harvesting marijuana for the state program. Rutgers
officials say that growing marijuana for medical use by AIDS and
cancer patients and New Jerseyans with other ailments would jeopardize
federal funding the university receives. Last year Rutgers got $552
million in various monies from Washington, including research
contracts, grants, student loans and work study funds.

The announcement may have taken some in Trenton by surprise, but
regardless, it should not hold up the state from beginning the legal
dispensation of marijuana to patients who need it, we hope before the
end of this year.

If Rutgers doesn't want to grow marijuana, so be it. Find another
grower or growers, whether it's another state institution or private
"farmers" who will contract with the state.

The governor, a former federal prosecutor who doesn't seem
enthusiastic about legalized medical marijuana, obviously wants to
make sure marijuana grown for patients with a doctor's prescription
doesn't escape onto the illegal drug market. That's understandable.
Legislators did not vote to legalize recreational use of the drug, as
some states have inched toward, only medical use.

People with AIDS and cancer, glaucoma, leukemia and various chronic
pains find significant relief for their pain and other symptoms from
smoking marijuana. For some, it's the only medicine that works.

These New Jerseyans should not have to fear arrest and prosecution for
using marijuana as a medicine. Nor should the government impede their
ability to acquire this medicinal substance. Rather, it should help to
facilitate their acquisition of marijuana through secure, legal means.
This is the humane thing to do. It's why lawmakers rightly approved
medical marijuana.

Fourteen other states already have medical marijuana programs. These
states don't rely on public universities to do all the growing, as
Christie had wanted.

So all the governor and our legislators have to do is find which of
these states does the best job limiting who can grow marijuana, and
making sure it is done securely, and copy that model. That's it.

If Rutgers doesn't want to grow, it's unlikely other colleges or
universities in the state will want to, either. So let's not waste
time while good people are suffering and waiting eagerly for this
program to begin. The state must simply find another potential grower
or growers -- and there will be plenty offering to do so -- and make
sure the growing facilities will be secure and move forward with
implementation of the system.