Sen. Savino: NJ Medical Marijuana Law Needs to Come Across the Hudson Senator Urges New York to Join New Jersey, 15 Other States, In Adopting Smart, Controlled, Medical Marijuana Laws

News from Senator Diane J. Savino Serving Staten Island/ Brooklyn

 For Immediate Release: July 20, 2011  

State Senator Diane J. Savino, (D-Staten Island/ Brooklyn), today praised New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's decision to implement his state's medical marijuana program and urged New York to follow the lead of its cross-Hudson neighbor. 

“Anyone who has watched a loved one struggle with a debilitating illness would do almost anything to help alleviate their pain,” Senator Savino said. “New Jersey showed real compassion for Garden State residents who are suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis and other life-threatening diseases. We need to follow this example and pass legislation to allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana when no other option is available.” 

She has written to Governor Cuomo, asking for his support of this cause. 

Studies have shown that marijuana can mitigate pain, nausea, and other symptoms in some patients who are unresponsive to other medication. Senator Savino said her late parents, who both were unable to be treated for chronic pain during their battles with cancer, were among those who would have been helped. 

Senator Savino is a co-sponsor of legislation, (S.2774 Duane/ A.7347 Gottfried), that would legalize medical marijuana in New York. The measure would give seriously ill patients the ability to purchase the drug through a registered dispensing facility with a physician's approval. The program would be tightly controlled with patients having to register with the state Health Department, and be permitted to have no more than 2.5 ounces at a time. 

The New Jersey law was signed by Christie's predecessor, Jon Corzine, shortly before leaving office in January 2010. They became the 16th state to legalize medical marijuana. 

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Attached: Sen. Savino's letter urging Gov. Cuomo to support S.2774.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/60464978/Sen-Savino-NJ-Medical-Marijuana-Law-Needs-to-Come-Across-the-Hudson