It’s been a busy couple of days for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and state politicos, as the two met and agreed on two pending pieces of major legislation earlier this week in Trenton, N.J.
Christie signed off on a bill that will ultimately extend the use of medical marijuana to sick children. The state already offers the use of medical marijuana to chronically ill adults at a facility in Montclair. However, children are excluded from receiving the pot.
Under the new bill, parents of children would still be required to get signatures from several doctors and be approved by the state in order to get the marijuana for their children. Additionally, only weaker strains and oral dosages of marijuana would be given to children. The measure moves on to the state Assembly, which is expected to vote on the bill before the end of the year.
The governor rejected a plan that would allow allow the practice of conversion therapy—a practice of talk therapy that supposedly can convert homosexuals into heterosexuals. Christie agreed with opponents of the measure who, among other things, argue that the therapy is unproven and can lead to depression and suicide in patients by providing false hope.
“I think this is a step in the right direction,” said state Sen. Loretta Weinberg, who, in the past, has frequently clashed with Christie on a number of issues. However, in a media statement following the governor’s rejection of the “pray the gay away” bill, Weinberg took a jab at Christie’s long-held opposition to same-sex marriages and said, “There won’t be equality in New Jersey until there is equality in marriage.”