jct74
09-19-2016, 01:26 AM
Christie to let PTSD sufferers get medical marijuana
By Susan K. Livio
September 14, 2016
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law Wednesday that would add post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of conditions that would qualify people for medical marijuana, a move actively sought by combat veterans.
Christie said he supported the bill because an estimated 20 percent of veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from this "debilitating" illness.
Other means of treatment would have be tried first before a doctor could recommend cannabis, to prevent "misuse," according to the governor's bill-signing statement.
"The mere potential of abuse by some should not deter the state from taking action that may ease the daily struggles of veterans and others who legitimately suffer from PTSD," Christie wrote.
Christie has been reluctant in the past to broaden admissions to the medical marijuana program. The law creating the program gives the state health commissioner the authority to decide whether new medical conditions should be added to the list. The governor has resisted many attempts to deviate from the law, which he has complained is too lax and a gateway to legalization.
Lawmakers praised his decision.
...
read more:
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/09/christie_add_ptsd_to_illness_list_for_medical_mari _1.html
By Susan K. Livio
September 14, 2016
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law Wednesday that would add post-traumatic stress disorder to the list of conditions that would qualify people for medical marijuana, a move actively sought by combat veterans.
Christie said he supported the bill because an estimated 20 percent of veterans returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from this "debilitating" illness.
Other means of treatment would have be tried first before a doctor could recommend cannabis, to prevent "misuse," according to the governor's bill-signing statement.
"The mere potential of abuse by some should not deter the state from taking action that may ease the daily struggles of veterans and others who legitimately suffer from PTSD," Christie wrote.
Christie has been reluctant in the past to broaden admissions to the medical marijuana program. The law creating the program gives the state health commissioner the authority to decide whether new medical conditions should be added to the list. The governor has resisted many attempts to deviate from the law, which he has complained is too lax and a gateway to legalization.
Lawmakers praised his decision.
...
read more:
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/09/christie_add_ptsd_to_illness_list_for_medical_mari _1.html