PREVIOUS COVERAGE: • Obama administration clarifies medical marijuana enforcement for N.J., other states • N.J. medical marijuana advocates to hold rally in Trenton • Gov. Christie to delay implementing N.J.'s medical marijuana law • Supporters of medical marijuana program wonder if N.J. wants to delay its launch this summer • N.J. Attorney General asks Obama administration if medical marijuana program...
TRENTON — Advocates say they will consider suing the state if Gov. Chris Christie continues to stand in the way of implementing a law that legalizes marijuana for medical use.
But they're not enthusiastic about that possibility.
Roseanne Scotti, New Jersey director of the Drug Policy Alliance, hopes a lawsuit is a last resort. She notes that court cases can drag on for years and says her concern is patients having access now.
Christie hasn't yet responded to a memo released Thursday by the U.S. Justice Department that says marijuana dispensaries and licensed growers in states with medical marijuana laws could face prosecution for violating federal drug and money-laundering laws.
Christie's spokesman, Michael Drewniak, says the governor is awaiting advice from Attorney General Paula Dow, who is still reviewing the letter.