Medical Marijuana Bill Passes In New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. (Associated Press) -- The New Jersey Assembly has approved a bill allowing chronically ill patients access to medical marijuana.

The compromise bill now heads to the Senate, which had approved a less restrictive version.

Gov. Jon Corzine supports the legislation and could sign it before leaving office next week.

New Jersey would become he 14th state to allow medicinal marijuana use.

The bill would allow patients with ailments like cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis to buy up to 2 ounces of marijuana a month at state-monitored dispensaries.

Home growing would remain illegal, as would driving while high.

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, a bill co-sponsor, says New Jersey's Compassionate Use Marijuana Act would be the nation's strictest such law.