DEMOCRATS SHAPE MARIJUANA LAW

A Challenge To Gov. Christie's Approach

New Jersey Senate Democrats are pushing ahead with a challenge to the
Christie administration's rules for the state's new medical marijuana
program, despite a supposedly bipartisan compromise the governor
announced earlier this month.

Democrats are unhappy with regulations to implement the program,
saying it falls short of a law already described as the most
restrictive in the country. The rules would limit the potency of
marijuana, among other specifications contrary to the law signed in
January just before Mr. Christie took office.

In putting his own stamp on the program, Mr. Christie says he is
trying to make sure New Jersey doesn't become another California or
Colorado, where critics say it is too easy for healthy people to buy
pot intended for those with medical problems.

On Dec. 3, Gov. Chris Christie held a news conference with the
program's top supporter in the Assembly, Democrat Reed Gusciora,
saying they had agreed to change some, but not all, of the
regulations. For example, Mr. Christie said he was comfortable with
allowing six locations as outlined in the law to grow and dispense
pot, instead of two growers and four dispensaries.

"This is a way to get the program up and running in the soonest
amount of time as possible," Mr. Gusciora said at the time. "The
program can only grow in the future."

But the announcement took many Democrats by surprise, and it was
unclear what power Mr. Gusciora had to make a deal. The Assembly
already passed a resolution to repeal the regulations, and the Senate
plans to vote on Monday. The administration would have 30 days to
rewrite the rules.

Charles Kwiatkowski, 39 years old, of Hazlet said he has multiple
sclerosis and uses marijuana to replace 41 pills that are either
ineffective or have debilitating or embarrassing side effects. He
said the proposed regulations would make it difficult for his doctor
to recommend the drug, and the diminished potency would lead people
to make illegal purchases.

"Patients would still have an ability to buy something better on the
street, and still have to take those risks," he said.

A spokesman for the Senate Democrats, Derek Roseman, left the door
open for further compromise but said some lawmakers still had
significant concerns with certain of Mr. Christie's changes, such as
taking away home delivery of the drug. Supporters say that is key to
making sure everyone has access.

Mr. Roseman said it was still possible to come to an agreement in
time to make the drug available in the summer.