GREEN LIGHT ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

FINALLY, the governor has given the go-ahead to New Jersey's medical
marijuana program. It's a huge relief for people suffering
excruciating pain and for the people who care for them.

Gov. Jon Corzine signed the medical marijuana law in January
2010.

But for 18 months, chronically ill patients who would qualify for the
drug have had to wait as Governor Christie tinkered with the
legislation and then put it on hold.

This last move occurred in April after the governor asked the Obama
administration for reassurance it would not prosecute employees
associated with the state-sanctioned program. Christie would allow
nothing, he said, until he got an answer. It looked like a stalling
tactic to us, since the federal government can't promise to not
enforce its laws.

The government's response came on June 30 by way of an obliquely
worded memo from a U.S. deputy attorney general, much of which
reiterated what has already been said. The memo stated that federal
law enforcement is still charged with upholding the Controlled
Substances Act, although "it is not likely an efficient use of federal
resources to focus enforcement efforts on individuals with cancer or
other serious illnesses" who use medical pot, or on their caregivers.

Nowhere in there was a direct answer to Christie's question.
Apparently, though, it was answer enough.

We understand that as a former U.S. attorney, Christie wants to be
extra cautious. But he took it too far. New Jersey already has a
strict medical marijuana law. The delays looked more like playing to
the governor's national base than concern for workers who already know
the legally tricky situation they're in.

Caught in the middle have been the seriously ill. We are sorry they'll
have to wait probably another four to five months before marijuana is
available, but we are relieved they finally have the answer.