New Jersey’s medical marijuana program has been a resounding success — for those who deal pot illegally.

Only 2,342 patients of the estimated tens of thousands expected to sign up are frequenting the state’s three dispensaries to purchase marijuana legally.

Patients in pain reluctant to endure the frustrations and expense of participating in the state-sanctioned program are no doubt turning to the black market for relief.

Who can blame them?

Established by law almost six years ago by then-Gov. Jon Corzine, the program has been implemented grudgingly and sluggishly by the Christie administration.

The governor, so forward thinking on issues related to drug addiction, seems to hearken to the hysteria of “Reefer Madness” when it comes to the legitimate and therapeutic use of marijuana.

For some cancer patients, those with multiple sclerosis, young children with epilepsy, strains of cannabis offer the only relief from chronic pain and nausea. But Gov. Chris Christie sees the program “as a front for legalization,” something he says “is not going to happen on my watch.”

He says the low enrollment numbers are proof that there is little demand for medical marijuana, “but a huge demand for marijuana.”

Lawmakers, some dispensary operators and patients have another take. They blame low participation on the program’s rigid rules, exorbitant costs for patients and growers, and the governor’s clear indication that he has no interest in further softening the ironclad regulations to help the program gain traction.

Meanwhile, only about 300 of New Jersey’s 21,000 physicians have signed up to participate in the program.

They may be reading into the administrative tea leaves. Perhaps they not interested in navigating all the red tape, while others, of course, don’t believe in marijuana as an effective therapy. But that lack of participation poses another impediment to the program.

Other states have well-functioning medical marijuana programs that are realizing New Jersey’s legislative aim of easing the pain of sick and dying patients. With revisions to the severe requirements, New Jersey could fulfill the spirit of the law providing for “compassionate” use of marijuana.

“We have a dysfunctional program, and I think it’s going to take some sort of ‘pot summit’ bringing together patients, doctors and legislators to really make this a success,“ says Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), one of the lead sponsors of the law.

That’s an excellent idea.

2 trchristie HINDASH.JPG

CONNECT WITH US: On mobile or desktop:

• Like Times of Trenton on Facebook

• Follow @TimesofTrenton on Twitter