Over-regulation is standing in the way of real success for New Jersey's medical marijuana program, according to a pair of Democratic state legislators.

Medical Marijuana
Medical Marijuana (David McNew, Getty Images)
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The legislators are trying to change the law and they are particularly concerned that not everyone in the program is allowed access to edible forms of the drug.

Under the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, only minors in the program have access to edible forms of the drug. Assemblywoman Linda Stender (D-Scotch Plains) and state Sen. Nick Scutari (D-Linden) want the law changed.

"Stop with the 'gotchas, this wasn't in the bill, that's this, that's that, this is a way that we're not going to let them get it, we can't let them go out of state and bring it back,'" said Scutari. "Enough already. Let's just help people."

Stender is one of the Assembly sponsors of legislation to establish what she calls a "reciprocity rule," that would let patients in the state's medical marijuana program legally obtain forms of marijuana not sold in New Jersey from other states with licensed medical marijuana programs. This would also allow patients to use the drug in this state without fear of prosecution.

"We are creating a new class of medical refugees, of people who are moving out of state because they simply cannot get the medicine that they need for their children," Stender said at a State House press conference. "It seems that the program here in New Jersey is more concerned about preventing abuse than it is about making it work for those who need it."

Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed the legislation when it advanced through the legislature last session. His press staff did not respond to a request seeking comment for this report.

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