| Youtube.com/JohnRobertCruz |
| Diane Riportella, from YouTube. |
From the time she was diagnosed with ALS in 2007 until the day she died in September 2012, Diane Riportella fought hard for New Jersey patients to have access to legal medical cannabis.
For her efforts, Compassionate Care Foundation will be dedicating their (soon-to-be open) new dispensary building to Riportella. Compassionate Care will be New Jersey’s second legal dispensary when open.
Riportella’s passionate testimony in 2010 before two state Senate committees about her use of medical cannabis helped change the minds of legislators who saw what the plant could do to help other sick people in their state suffering from ALS.
“Diane fought long and hard to have this law passed in the state of New Jersey,” Paul Portella, Diane’s husband, said in a press release. Compassionate Care will help so many people that are suffering in the South Jersey area, and beyond, and it will stand in tribute to her efforts. I hope that people recognize what a triumph the opening of this site will be and how much medical marijuana can improve the lives of people suffering from tragic illnesses. I hope that this facility will reach all the patients who are desperately in need of the service it provides.”
The center plans to hold a dedication ceremony this Friday, and told reporters earlier this month that they hope to open by the end of the month after state regulators are finished testing their initial harvest.