Seriously, WTF -- Medical Marijuana Rules

Well, I'm not sure I understand ... (0.00 / 0)

Marijuana for medicinal purposes is generated differently. It doesn't come sanitary-packaged in little bottles or boxes from a drug company ready to be dispensed. It has to be grown somewhere, and takes up considerable space being grown. It needs light, water and feeding. I imagine there will be efforts to make the stuff consistent.

I'm not trying to be dense pointing out differences, I just don't understand why you're suggesting a different distribution methodology would not be needed for that?  Not that the governor's ideas ever made any sense - they were always transparently designed to make getting the stuff as close to impossible as he could get away with.  

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Tue Dec 14, 2010 at 16:26:03 PM UTC

Not that different (0.00 / 0)

There are lots of drugs that are powdered or liquid and the pharmacist has to measure and distribute them in pills or other devices.

The marijuana farmers have to deliver the drug to someone to distribute it, why not pharmacists that already handle many controlled substances?

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by: huntsu @ Tue Dec 14, 2010 at 23:45:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

where do most drugs come from? (0.00 / 0)

medicines come from science and from nature.  some grow from plants (quinine, opium, etc.) while others grow from the lab (HIV meds, aspirin) and the rest come from animals (insulin, snake anti-venom, etc.)

Medical Marijuana fits neatly into one of those categories.  So I am not sure I understand what you don't understand, but hopefully this clears it up.

All VMars is saying is we don't have to re-invent the wheel to dispense medical cannabis. VMars is right.  

activist for hire.

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by: Jay Lassiter @ Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 10:53:28 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Reinventing wheels (0.00 / 0)

The Obama administration (last year) directed federal prosecutors not to pursue cases against drug users complying with state medical marijuana laws, like NJ's. But I think marijuana's still classified by the federal government as a Schedule 1 drug, and I don't believe pharmacies are permitted to dispense Schedule 1 drugs (only Schedule 2-6). Until that changes (and it should), I think there will be issues with dispensing via pharmacy.

Across the country, many pharmacist professional organizations say dispensing medical marijuana fails to take into account the federally-mandated rules they are required to follow.

Sounds to me federal law needs to catch up with some of the states.

It's not a particularly snappy signature, but here's what I think we need in the next NJ Democratic State Chair.  

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by: Rosi Efthim @ Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 14:02:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Privatize it (0.00 / 0)

Maybe if we privatize the cultivation and distribution, Christie would be more open.  After all, by allowing his cronies to get a piece of the action, it fits into his style of governing the state.

Blog: http://www.deciminyan.org

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by: deciminyan @ Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 13:24:17 PM UTC

Privatizing & Christie cronies (0.00 / 0)

The government regs do call for privatizing the cultivation and dispensing of cannabis. The regs require private entities to seek a license and sign a contract with the Health department - the same process other departments use in jobbing out tasks. Also the high licensing costs, excessive rules and requirements to be more than 1000 ft from a school or public building all make it difficult for non-profits or start-ups to get involved. The situation is indeed ripe for a Christie crony to get a a contract and through its influence even get rules modified more to its liking.  

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

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by: Bill Orr @ Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 15:24:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Pharmacies selling cannabis (0.00 / 0)

Pharmacies sell prescription drugs which are FDA approved, but marijuana is not FDA approved.  Pharmacies also sell "over the counter" remedies where there is no law against their sale. However, the sale of marijuana in NJ is against state law. The State could change its law and allow its sale through pharmacies under certain conditions. However, it is also unlawful federally to cultivate or sell marijuana - a practice the feds tend to ignore if it is conducted through a state-approved license. Pharmacists and their associations say they do not want to sell marijuana for fear of running afoul of federal, state or FDA laws. (Even Rutgers and hospital pharmacies declined participation for fear of federal laws.) Pharmacists are concerned with the many extra regulations that come with cannabis dispensing. Also one suspects they are prejudiced against the stereotype of a marijuana purchaser and don't want to be inviting of such customers.

Pharmacies are so ubiquitous they could be ideal dispensaries. It's a good suggestion, but it's not about to happen anytime soon in NJ.  Heck, so far our governor has been making it extremely difficult for anyone to open a legal dispensary.  

"The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die." - Sen. Ted Kennedy

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by: Bill Orr @ Wed Dec 15, 2010 at 14:10:58 PM UTC