MEDICAL POT DEAL REACHED IN NEW JERSEY

Six nonprofit companies would be allowed to grow and sell medical
marijuana but patients would not get home delivery service under an
accord Gov. Chris Christie announced Friday that may avert a delay in
the program's July launch.

The agreement could scuttle a move by the Democratic-controlled
Legislature to repeal Christie's rules he had said were necessary to
prevent the drug from being abused recreational users.

"I have never been opposed to the program ... or the idea that medical
marijuana is available to those truly in need," Christie said. "My
entire argument all along was to put together a program that avoids
the pitfalls of California and Colorado and was medical-based and
responsive."

That concern led his administration to want to limit the number of
growers to two and sellers to four, and other rules that patients,
advocacy groups and Democrats said were unfairly restrictive.

But on the key issue of how many outlets would grow and sell
marijuana, Christie backtracked and said he would implement the law
as-is on this point. Two dispensaries or "alternative treatment
centers" each will operate in the north, central and southern portions
of the state.

The governor credited Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, D-Mercer, a sponsor
of the medical marijuana law, for persuading him to change his mind.

"Working together, we have come to an agreement that will prevent
further delay to patients who need relief from the symptoms of
debilitating illnesses," Christie said during a Statehouse press
conference with Health and Senior Services Commissioner Poonam Alaigh.
"At the same time, we are protecting the interests of all residents by
preventing some of the abuses that we have seen in other states."

Gusciora said he had also supported the repeal, but backed off because
a legal fight could have delayed implementation indefinitely. Patients
P many terminally ill P "may not have much time left," said Gusciora,
who joined Christie at the press conference.

In a move that disappointed patient advocacy groups, the governor
withdrew the home-delivery idea his administration had touted in
October. Gusciora called it "a trade-off that was needed" to get the
program moving. A relative can be designated as a caregiver and
retrieve the drug from the seller if the patient is unable to travel.

"On balance, this means people will have less options to get medical
marijuana," said Roseanne Scotti, director of the Drug Policy
Alliance of New Jersey.

Christie also softened his position on requiring doctors to determine
all conventional methods of treatment had failed with any patient for
whom they recommend medical pot. The law only required this in cases
of seizure disorders, intractable skeletal muscular spasticity, or
glaucoma.

It was unclear Friday whether the repeal of Christie's proposed rules
would move forward. Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, who sponsored the
law and the resolution to repeal, said he was not aware Gusciora and
the governor had cut a deal.

"I'm encouraged to hear the governor has decided to follow the
legislative intent of the medical marijuana law, but I am waiting to
see the revised regulations in writing before I make any decisions on
how to move forward," Scutari said.

Two other objections cited in his repeal resolution still remain:
prohibiting the sale of marijuana with a potency level higher than 10
percent THC; and imposing a two-year waiting period before the law can
be changed.

Ken Wolski of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey, said he
would encourage lawmakers to repeal the rules.

"This can hardly be considered a compromise - the law was quite clear
that all ATCs should be responsible for cultivation, processing and
distribution of medical marijuana. The rules still regulate ATCs more
strictly than full-service pharmacies, and this is inappropriate."