Medical Marijuana Close to Being Legalized in New Jersey

The New Jersey Senate has approved a bill legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

The legislation will now head to the state Assembly, which is expected to pass it, and then on to the governor's desk. The outgoing Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine has indicated he would sign the measure if it reaches him before he steps down in January, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The state's next governor, Republican Chris Christie, might also sign the bill, but a spokeswoman told the Journal that Christie thought one draft he read didn't have enough restrictions.

The legislation would allow residents with debilitating medical conditions to grow, possess and use marijuana for personal use, as long as it's prescribed by a doctor. The drug is often used to treat cancer, glaucoma and human immunodeficiency viruses.

New Jersey would join 13 states that permit marijuana use for medical purposes, most recently Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Michigan, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont.

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