A Bill Aimed at Getting Pain Relief

New Jersey- At least the state Senate released a rational and compassionate bill according to which it appeared to be possible to utilize the medical marijuana for serious and terminal diseases. Still it flies in the air when the Assembly is going to take any steps for its realization. Whether or not may it be delayed for some time? There is rather strong opinion that Assembly members are preparing to pass through elections this year and they simply do not spend time participating in controversial situations.

Still we can name pretty number of those who expressed negative on the essence of the bill. In any case the medical- marijuana legalization seems to be less controversial and tricky then for example some politicians prefer to treat it. Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, a state bill sponsor, pointed, "It's been a surprise to me but the overwhelming response has been positive. People recognize that this is a bill aimed at getting pain relief."

There is no doubt they do. Therefore some other 13 states has taken it for basis and introduced medical marijuana legislation. Consequently it is possible to hear lots of controversial opinions that medical marijuana is probably the only way out for people who have cancer or multiple sclerosis, but as the bill itself it needs some restrictions and serious changes. The bill presupposes medical marijuana utilizing for specific conditions that include cancer, glaucoma, wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures and severe and persistent muscle spasms.

Still there are important safeguards in the bill. Rather long and serious chain of operations should be fulfilled in the following; the patient's doctor must prove it by means of certification that the patient has a qualifying weakening condition and that the prescribed ordinary medications are simply impossible to relieve the pain as well as medical marijuana does. Later-on the state Department of Health and Senior Services should approve the situation and present the identification cards for him. And the state would keep records and issue an annual report tracking the number of cards issued and types of conditions they were issued for.

According to the bill the patients would be allowed to have six marijuana plants and an ounce of marijuana in their storage. Completely the same measures provide the rest 13 states with similar laws as possession limits.

Public health policy treat it rather skeptically and criminalizing the use of marijuana in cases where it can ease a patient's suffering. The same poppy plants that produce heroin can be used to produce painkillers such as codeine and morphine. They express the opinion that the use of these and other painkillers - which can moreover, brought a person to physical addiction will be a judgment call on the part of a physician. The state Senate bill does not install prohibitions for prescription painkillers on the basis of medical marijuana because there is an assumption that doctors will allow them to be abused by patients.

The Assembly needs it to pass this bill and become the 14th state to legalise a compassionate, sensible medical-marijuana law on the books. Politicians sometimes misjudge the amount of voter backlash on such issues. As Whelan said, "Given the positive response, frankly, that I've gotten and others have gotten on this, I don't see it as being much of an election issue one way or the other."