Write a letter to the editor in support of N.J. medical marijuana bill

Last week, the New Jersey Senate passed S119, the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. This vote was a major victory for residents suffering from debilitating conditions. But the bill still has a long way to go before it becomes law. The Assembly health committee has not yet voted on it. If this committee passes it, the bill will still have to clear the full Assembly before going to Gov. Corzine to sign into law.

The press on the medical marijuana bill following this vote has been very positive. At least 10 papers have editorialized in support of the bill in the last week. Please take a moment and write a letter to the editor of one of these papers to keep up the positive momentum. We have several talking points available that you can use to get started.

Here are the recent editorials in support of the medical marijuana bill and instructions on how to submit a letter to each paper.

• The Star-Ledger, "Medical marijuana bill should advance in New Jersey," February 28, 2009 (Submit letter to: eletters@starledger.com.)
  
• Trenton Times, "A vote of conscience," February 27, 2009 (Submit letter to: Letters@NJTimes.com.)
  
• Bergen Record, "Last resort relief," February 26, 2009 (Submit letter to: LettersToTheEditor@northjersey.com.)
  
• Press of Atlantic City, "Medical marijuana / A rational approach," February 26, 2009 (Submit letter to: letters@pressofac.com.)
  
• Asbury Park Press, "Provide relief from pain," February 26, 2009 (Submit letter to: yourviews@app.com.)
  
• The Daily Record, "Brave call on marijuana from Carroll, Pennacchio," February 25, 2009 (Submit letter by going here.)
  
• Home News Tribune, "Assembly's turn to OK marijuana as a medicine," February 25, 2009 (Submit letter by going here.)
  
• Vineland Daily Journal, "State should OK medical marijuana," February 25, 2009 (Submit letter by going here.)
  
• Gloucester Co. Times, "Allow medical marijuana use," February 25, 2009 (Submit letter to: gcletters@sjnewsco.com.)
  
• Pocono Record, "End 'reefer madness' for patients' sake: Legalize medicinal marijuana in Pa.," February 26, 2009 (Submit letter to: letters@poconorecord.com.)

Thank you to everyone who has taken a moment to send an e-mail thanking your senator for voting in favor of the S119 last week. If you have not done so yet, and your senator voted for the bill, please consider sending a handwritten thank you letter to your senator for voting in favor of S119. You can see how the senators voted here. Just click on "Roll Call" at the bottom of the page.

With your help, New Jersey can become the 14th state to protect medical marijuana patients from arrest.