New Jersey became the sixteenth state, along with the District of Columbia, to implement the use of medical marijuana on Tuesday, July 19.

The law, which was enacted in January 2010, will allow patients to attain medical marijuana from the six dispensaries within the state. To obtain a prescription, patients will have to show proof that another medication was not successful in treating their condition.

Users of the cannabis confess that it eases pain, nausea and loss of appetite. Six non-profit organizations, according to MSNBC, were licensed this year and sell marijuana to patients that may suffer from terminal cancer, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis.

"I have been struggling, as has my administration, to find a way to accomplish what I've wanted to accomplish, which is to provide compassionate treatment to people who are suffering, in a way that will not expose them, the operators of our dispensaries or the employees of the State of New Jersey to criminal liability," said Governor Chris Christie at a news conference in Trenton, New Jersey on Tuesday.

Marijuana is illegal under federal law; however, those complying with state medicinal marijuana laws will not be bothered by the Obama administration. Federal authorization was the cause of hesitation for Christie to implement the law a year and a half ago right before Governor John Corzine left office.

According to The New York Times, the program limits the strength of the marijuana, prohibits edible forms of the drug and forbids dispensaries from making home deliveries.

Just last month there were complaints that the delay of the law was only harming patients who could highly benefit from the use of medical marijuana.

Many were overjoyed with the Christie's decision.

"We are absolutely thrilled that the governor has decided to move forward with the program and we hope that officials in other state who are contemplating options for their programs will follow New Jersey's lead," said Roseanne Scotti of the New Jersey Drug Policy Alliance.