Updated by Jason: Here is a video put out by the Assembly:Both houses of the Legislature today passed Assembly Bill 804 / Senate Bill 119, known as the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The Senate passed by a margin of 25-13 and the Assembly 48-14-1. Senator Scutari had this to say:
This bill recognizes that compassion for the sick and dying and adherence to our nation's war on illegal drugs are not mutually exclusive ideals," said Senator Scutari, D-Union, Middlesex and Somerset. "There is a difference between providing some small measure of comfort for New Jerseyans suffering from chronic and debilitating illnesses, and turning a blind eye to illegal drug abuse. The 'New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act' creates an avenue of relief for individuals with nowhere else to turn, while maintaining our State's tough stance on recreational drug abuse."
Assemblyman Guscoria offered this:
"I don't think we should make criminals out of our very sick and terminally ill," said Gusciora (D-Mercer). "It does not make sense for many of New Jersey's residents to suffer when there is a viable way to ease their pain. Medical marijuana can alleviate a lot of suffering, and there is no evidence that legalizing it for medical use increases overall drug use."
And Assemblywoman Voss had this on what the bill does and doesn't do:
"This bill does not condone marijuana use for nonmedical purposes, nor should it be construed to supersede legislation prohibiting persons from engaging in conduct that endangers others," Voss said. "This doesn't make marijuana rampant in society. Medical marijuana would be a last resort when all other drugs do not work."
You can see the bill text here. The Governor has already said he will sign the legislation. Jay Lassiter was in Trenton and will have more on the vote later.
