New Jersey moved one step closer to legalizing medical marijuana today,

according to a Star-Ledger report.

A state Assembly committee has approved legislation that would allow severely ill patients to purchase and use the drug.

The Assembly proposal put much stricter limits on who may grow, distribute and obtain marijuana than a Senate version of the bill.

Only licensed centers would be allowed to produce and dispense the drug to patients whose doctors recommend using it to ease pain, improve mobility or control nausea, Committee Chairman Herb Conaway (D-Burlington) said.

The state Senate voted in February to legalize marijuana for medical use. If New Jersey legalizes medical marijuana, it would become the nation's 14th state to do so. What do you think? Should medical marijuana be legal in New Jersey? Post a comment.

RELATED STORIES: