N.J. Governor seeks to delay medical marijuana

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wants to delay implementation of New Jersey’s medical marijuana law.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie wants to delay implementation of New Jersey’s medical marijuana law. But the primary Senate sponsor of the legislation says he’s reluctant to change the timetable.

The law legalizing the use of marijuana for severely ill patients was passed in January and is scheduled to take effect in July. The Christie administration wants a six to twelve month delay to deal with logistical issues including who will grow and sell the marijuana.

Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Nicholas Scutari says there’s a law, and he expects it to be followed.

“At least the first half of the bill does not seem to be brain surgery to me,” says Scutari. “You get a list of people, you allow the doctors to write the justification for them to have the card to be in possession of this medicine, and you have this universal list. I don’t see why at least that part of the bill has not been complied with yet.”

Scurtari says there’s plenty of interest from potential growers and sellers in what he calls one of the few new business opportunities in New Jersey.