TRENTON, N.J., July 20 (UPI) -- New Jersey will start implementing its medical marijuana law, originally scheduled to take effect a year ago, Gov. Chris Christie said Tuesday.
At a news conference, Christie said he is sure there is little chance of state employees facing federal prosecution for their part in running the program, The New York Times reported. He said that was one of his major concerns and a reason for the delay.
"When others said that it was because we didn't want to implement the program, it just was never true," he said.
The Republican governor's Democratic predecessor, Jon Corzine, signed the bill -- which was supposed to take effect in six months -- in one of his last acts in office in January 2010.
The law, as passed, was already more restrictive than those in most other states. Christie added additional restrictions, including a requirement that patients pick up their marijuana at dispensaries and banning it from being dispensed in a form in which it can be eaten.
Six non-profit groups will grow the marijuana. It is unlikely to be available until late this year, the Times said.
