Two years into New Jersey's medical marijuana program, yet no dispensary is open for business. The prime sponsor of the legislation is now pushing for hearings to find out why there's been a delay.

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Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) called for legislative hearings regarding what he says is the state's failure to successfully start the long anticipated New Jersey's medical marijuana program, which was scheduled to open its dispensaries on July 1st, 2011.

"New Jersey was to open six medical marijuana dispensaries this time last year. It is a cruel joke at the expense of cancer patients, AIDS patients, those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and other muscular disorders, who hoped to have this program already implemented," said Gusciora, the prime sponsor of the legislation that had been signed in Governor Corzine's last days in office.

The program was originally delayed from its start date in June of 2010 to October 2010, by request of the Administration, in order to compile registries, set up distribution centers, and work out the operations of the dispensaries. Since that 90 day extension, the Administration stated the program would be up and running by July 1st, 2011.

"I think it's reasonable for the Administration to provide an explanation as to why there is such a delay," continued Gusciora. "We have heard little about the patient registries or identifying host communities for the six dispensaries. And if the Governor is truly committed in helping to alleviate the suffering of hundreds of terminally ill citizens in this state, I would ask that he focus his efforts to begin implementation of the medicinal marijuana program at the earliest start up date possible."

"This is a cause certainly worthy of boardwalk brawl," concluded Gusciora. "Legislative oversight of this program is very much needed to make sure the Administration isn't dozing off at the switch."

 

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