A lawmaker in New Jersey wants to know why there has been such a delay in implementing the medical marijuana program in his state.

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, a Democrat from Trenton, called for hearings last week. He says the state’s administration should explain the delays, but a schedule for his proposed hearings hasn’t been announced.

The medical marijuana program has mostly been delayed because it took time for officials to adopt regulations and for the nonprofit marijuana dispensary operators to get permission to open from towns.

The state planned to have dispensaries open by July 2011. But the first one to operate legally now won’t open until at least late August.

It’s good to see elected officials standing up for the rights of patients. The sad thing it that these instances make the news because so few politicians bother. So when one does actually stand up for something, it’s an event to write about.

The question is whether or not the number of these types of politicians is going up or down. Are there more politicians standing up for the rights of the people, or less?

- Joe Klare