TRENTON -- The New Jersey Assembly today approved a bill legalizing medical marijuana by a vote of 48-14.

Before the vote, Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), a bill sponsor, said he believes the legislation will satisfy Gov.-elect Chris Christie, who expressed concerns about the drug's availability under the proposal, and serve as a model for other states.

"This will be the strictest medical marijuana law in the nation," he said. "We have a good bill that will be very strict and will not decriminalize marijuana, but will allow doctors to prescribe the best treatment for their patients."

The Senate will vote on the bill later today.

Roseanne Scotti, director of Drug Policy Alliance New Jersey, said the measure would make the state medical marijuana law the only one in the nation to ban home growing of the plant. The original bill allowed up to six plants grown at home.

Despite the compromise, she added that the more restrictive legislation is at least a step toward getting medical relief for patients.

"There will be some patients who will be able to get some relief," she said. "We think once the program's up and running and people see that there aren't problems, we'll be able to go back and get in some more of our patients."

"One of the biggest things is just fear of arrest, the constant fear on top of all the issues their dealing with with their severe medical conditions," Scotti added. "But at any time, they could be arrested, they could lose their homes, they could lose their business, it's appalling."

A group of proponents held a Statehouse news conference earlier today to urge lawmakers to pass the bill.

"I'm so excited to be able to be alive and to be here for this moment," said Diane Riportella, 53, of Egg Harbor Township.

Riportella was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in September of 2007, and was given a life expectancy of two to five years. She said the only medication that works instantly to ease her pain is marijuana.

"Within a few seconds, I'm relaxed and I'm smiling and I go to Disneyland just for a few minutes and say 'It's not so bad, I can live another day,'" Riportella said.

Mike Oliveri, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, moved from his home in Oradell, Bergen County, to California in November of 2008 to get access to marijuana legally. Oliveri said he inhales about a quarter pound of marijuana a month using a vaporizer, which eases the pain just slightly in his legs and his back and also calms his stomach.

"I took every medication known to man before I took weed," said Oliveri, 25, who bought marijuana illegally before moving to Los Angeles. "I knew it was a risk …but it was a life or death matter."

New Jersey state Assembly approved medical marijuana bill

By Trish G. Graber and Susan K. Livio/Statehouse Bureau

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