Scott Ward suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. He was diagnosed in November of 2006 while training for the Marine Corps Marathon. Scott went from running five miles everyday to relying on family members to assist him in and out of his bed and the bath tub. Medical marijuana continues to alleviate many of Scott’s MS symptoms that before were unmanageable and consumed his life. However, because New Jersey is not among the states that permit the medicinal use of marijuana, Scott, his friends and family, are forced to break the law to ease his suffering. See more below.

Irvina Booker was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1992. In addition to debilitating physical symptoms, Irvina was faced with the emotional challenges of losing her ability to walk. In 2003, a friend battling MS suggested Irvina try medical marijuana. She explains, "The effects were nothing short of miraculous."

Join the Compassionate Use Campaign! Send an internet action alert to legislators from our website. You can also call or write your state legislators. Tell them to vote to allow access to medical marijuana. Finally, join the Drug Policy Alliance!

A 2006 Polling Company poll found that 86% of New Jerseyans support allowing access to medical marijuana. This was an increase over the 82% support found in a 2002 Eagleton poll. This level of support for access to medical marijuana is in line with other state and national polls that have found overwhelming public support for access to medical marijuana. Between 1996 and 2002 more than 60 state and national polls found overwhelming public support for medical marijuana. Support has increased over time as the public has learned more about the issue.

The time to act is now. New Jersey is losing thousands of lives and millions of dollars to totally preventable diseases. By allowing for non-prescription sale of syringes, New Jersey will permit those at risk of injection-related diseases to protect their own health by purchasing sterile syringes in pharmacies, and make access to syringes easier for diabetics and others who must use injectable medications.