Chris Christie Worried About “Profit Motive” of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

At a town hall in South River, New Jersey,
yesterday, Gov. Chris Christie (R) was asked by a
mother about the the lack of availability of edible medical
marijuana for her child. “The medical marijuana program that exists
in New Jersey right now isn’t really helpful,” the mother told
Christie, blaming a lack of communication on the program not
working the way it should. Christie finally
signed a law last summer permitting edible medical
marijuana only after spending several months
mulling it over and then
conditionally vetoing it.

In the course of a long and winding answer, Christie indirectly
addressed the
recent bill submitted in the state legislature to legalize
possession of marijuana of up to an ounce. While insisting he was
willing to make changes to the state medical marijuana law, he
said:

“What I’m not willing to do is legalize it or permit
recreational use or things that will lead to that, and so that’s
the line that I’ve drawn in the sand that I’m not willing to
do.”

As for the supply of edible medical marijuana not meeting the
demand, it’s largely due to the regulatory burdens imposed by the
state. But Christie doesn’t see it that way:

“Part of the problem with this is what I originally proposed
with the medical marijuana program…was that it be a hospital-based
program, that way the profit motive is drained out a lot from
it.”

Christie said the Democrat-controlled legislature wasn’t
interested in his idea. “What I want in this state is a
medically-based program,” the governor told the town hall. “If
we’re going to have a medical marijuana program, that’s what it
should be.” He noted places like Colorado and California—where
medical marijuana programs have been increasingly broadened—and
said he didn’t want to go there.

h/t Stephanie on
Twitter