New Jersey Takes a Step Toward Allowing Medical Marijuana
If they don't sell Cheetos as well, they're missing out on a big opportunity.
On the heels of Massachusetts voting to decriminalize marijuana, New Jersey lawmakers on the state Senate Health Committee voted 6-1 to approve a bill legalizing medical marijuana in the state. If this gets passed into law, I shall be very happy and proud of my state, as will the many sufferers of chronic illness who would legally be able to get some relief from their pain. And really, I think I’m the kind of supporter this type of bill needs. I don’t smoke pot, it holds no interest for me, but I don’t give a good god damn if someone else does. I certainly don’t see why it should be illegal, especially medically. If you’re dying of cancer, you can inject heroin into your eyeball for all I care. Who really gives a shit? What kind of asshole would deny you that small comfort?
This asshole would:
Opponents argued that allowing patients to smoke marijuana is akin to approving drug use.
…
David Evans, executive director of the national Drug Free Schools Coalition, cited the lack of scientific studies on marijuana use.
“You have to make sure it is safe,” he said. “There are no proper studies about dose, how many times do you take it. Once this bill is approved, you can smoke your head off all day long.”
The first part of that quote is just stupid right on its face because there are many, many, many drugs that are only legal to take with a prescription from a doctor, and I don’t see anyone campaigning to outlaw medical morphine.
As for David Evans, well, I’m sure he could find some studies on the safety of marijuana if he really actually looked. But regardless, it’s not like it’s a brand new thing. People have been smoking for quite a long time, and I’ve certainly never heard of anyone dying of a marijuana overdose. It’s cute how he thinks the cancer and AIDS patients just want this passed so they can legally become stoners, though. Asshole.
From here, the bill moves into the full Senate as the next step to becoming a law. I’ve got my fingers crossed.
In a related story, Missouri is considering decriminalizing margarine.
Image by auntylaurie released under Creative Commons.
