Yup, Chris Chirstie Just Approved Medical Marijuana For Children. (With Some Stipulations)

It's a bit cynical to say, but we'll say it anyway: There's nothing like a sick child to fast-track a government response to a medical issue. Take the June fight over whether a little girl should have been put on a list for an adult lung transplant. The parents sued the government, and right away, there was a strong response against the Secretary of Health and Human Services' stance that she would not interfere. A court found favor with the parents, and the child got the lung.

Now, a sick child has instigated a change in the rules on medical marijuana in New Jersey.

Today, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie conditionally vetoed (or for the half-full people, conditionally approved) a bill that will make it easier for sick children to obtain pot. As the Associated Press reports, he stipulates that a psychiatrist and a pediatrician have to both agree that marijuana is the best course of action for the child.

Earlier in the week, Brian Wilson, the father of a two year old who suffers with daily seizures, confronted the governor on the issue, pleading to him "Please don't let my daughter die, Governor."

There's some indication that medical marijuana can be helpful in treating the form of epilepsy that the child has. And the current medical marijuana rules in New Jersey make it very difficult for children to participate, requiring three written letter from doctors. The New Jersey Legislator passed the bill to include children about a month and a half ago. Up until today, the governor had not indicated how he would act on it.

Christie now sends his stipulations back to the legislature. He'll sign it if they agree to his pediatrician and psychiartrist sign-off stipulation, and that if edible pot is only available to children, and not the larger medical-marijuana-user population.