The Drug Policy Alliance's New Jersey office has launched a campaign to support medical marijuana legislation introduced this month in the state legislature. Though similar legislation has been introduced in the past, 2006 will be the first time the legislature holds hearings on the subject.

The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Services Committee will hold an information-gathering hearing in early June, and DPA's new Compassionate Use Campaign will prepare by educating legislators and ensuring that accurate information is avaiable to the committee. In addition, the Campaign will call on medical marijuana supporters in New Jersey to express their support for this overdue legislation to their Senators and Assembly members.

The bills, sponsored in the Senate by Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, and in the Assembly by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, would allow seriously ill people access to medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation. The program would be run by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

If the legislation passes, New Jersey will be the twelfth state to permit the medicinal use of marijuana. DPA's new Compassionate Use Campaign will work hard to make that happen in 2006.

If you live in New Jersey, please visit our action center to see how you can get involved.