New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie agreed to sign a bill that would make it easier for children to obtain medical marijuana if the legislature makes two changes to the bill; limiting edible forms of medical marijuana to only minors, and a requirement that a pediatrician and a psychiatrist both agree on the treatment, according to CNN.
Currently minors can be prescribed medical marijuana in the state of New Jersey but it is an arduous process requiring three letters of support; one from a physician, a pediatrician and a psychiatrist. Under new guidelines only one letter will be needed for minors to be approved, the same as required for adults, according to CNN.
Earlier in the week Christie was confronted about his stance on medical marijuana by Brian Wilson. Wilson's 2-year-old daughter suffers from a severe and rare form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome that can be treated by non-psychoactive marijuana, according to the Huffington Post.
"Please don't let my daughter die, Governor," Wilson said. "Don't let my daughter die."
"These are complicated issues," Christie told Wilson.
"Very simple issue," Wilson retorted.
"No, I know you think it's simple....I know you think it's simple and it's not," Christie told him.
In the veto Christie also advocated for dispensaries in New Jersey to be able to carry more than three strains of marijuana. Wilson's daughter was unable to receive the strain she needed because it wasn't being carried at any of the dispensaries in New Jersey, according to The Record.
"I believe that the parents, and not the government regulators, are best suited to decide how to care for their children," Christie said. "Protection of our children remains my utmost concern, and my heart goes out to those children and their families who are suffering with serious illness."
Previously Christie had made comments about being reluctant to expand New Jersey's medical marijuana laws because he was worried that the state would go "down the slippery slope of broadening a program and making it easier to get marijuana that wouldn't necessarily go to other people," CNN Reports.
"I'm concerned about expanding the program and I want to make sure that if we do it we do it in a way that is helpful to children," Christie said.
