Michael Karas

(center) Jackson Stormes, 14 and his sister Sidnee, 17, play on a trampoline that Jackson received as a birthday gift. Jackson Stormes has Dravet Syndrome which causes seizures. He would benefit from non-psychoactive marijuana but no such strain is legal in NJ. He has a medical marijuana card so he can legally get medical marijuana but he has not been able to get an appointment. In addition to the wait, currently the type of medical marijuana that is most beneficial to Jackson is not legal in NJ. Jackson is a dual resident of NJ and CA. He has used legal medical marijuana in CA and it has been extremely beneficial according to his mother Jennie. "It was a huge improvement that I need to be able to sustain because he does not desire to have seizures every day," she said. When he was using medical marijuana in CA he still had seizures but the frequency was cut down dramatically.

Jackson Stormes, 14, is comforted by his mother Jennifer Stormes after he had a seizure in his room at their home in Hope Township.

Jackson Stormes is currently using Stiripentol to help control his seizures, the medication is affecting his appetite.

Marijuana grows in a secret room behind a wall.

Susan Sturner, of Lawrenceville, suffers from severe glaucoma, fibromyalgia and spinal stenosis. She would prefer a high-CBD strain of medical marijuana to treat her pain and the uncontrolled pressure in her eyes., but only higher THC varieties are available..

Susan Sturner is treated for chronic pain by (left) Richard Levandowski M.D, at Princeton Sports and Family Medicine in Lawrenceville.

Sitting in the passenger seat of a car, Susan Sturner, of Lawrenceville, smokes medical marijuana from Greenleaf Compassion Center for the first time.

Marijuana leaf shadows on the wall of an attic.

Meghan Wilson with her daughter Vivian, 2, at their home in Scotch Plains. Vivian has Dravet Syndrome (a severe form of epilepsy). Vivian wears an eye patch because she has light and pattern sensitivity which causes seizures. Vivian had her first seizure when she was two months old.

Vivian Wilson, 2, smiles as (left) her speech therapist arrives. (right) her mother Meghan Wilson, holds the door at their home in Scotch Plains. Vivian has a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome and she is enrolled in New Jersey's medical marijuana program. Vivian is wearing a patch because she has light and pattern sensitivity which can cause seizures. Meghan Wilson is also wearing sun glasses - which she says makes Vivian laugh. Meghan believes that medical marijuana will lower the frequency and severity of Vivian's seizures and will allow her to stop taking some medications. Vivian needs medical-marijuana in an edible form, which is not currently legal.

Meghan Wilson with daughter Vivian, 2, talk with the press before going to The Office of The Governor to deliver petitions to office of Governor Christie in favor of passing a bill to improve access to medical marijuana.

Brian Wilson holds his daughter Vivian, 2, as they enter the Governor's Office to deliver letters urging Governor Christie to sign a bill that will make it easier for minors to participate in New JerseyÕs medical-marijuana program. (right) Jennifer Stormes, of Hope Township, holds the door as (left) her son Jackson, 14, looks on

Meghan Wilson, of Scotch Plains, and (center) Jennifer Stormes, of Hope Township, watch as votes are being tallied and bill S2842 is passed in The Assembly on June 24. The bill, which passed in The Senate and Assembly, would eliminate the need for written consent from a pediatrician and a psychiatrist for juveniles to be eligible for New Jersey's medical-marijuana program.

Brian Wilson, Vivian's father, pleads with Governor Christie to sign a bill to improve access to medical marijuana as Christie greets patrons of Highlander Restaurant.

Air Force Combat Controller (CCT) veteran Don Karpowich at his home. Karpowich was in the Air Force from 1980 - 1993. He has PTS as a result of an event that he witnessed on 02-28-84 in which 18 people, including fellow servicemen, were killed. PTS is not a condition for which medical marijuana can be prescribed in NJ. He wants to see PTS added to the list of conditions that are treatable with medical marijuana. Karpowich exhales as he smokes marijuana.

Don Karpowich displays a photo of himself from 1982 or 1983 taken in Germany when he was a Senior Airman.

Air Force Combat Controller (CCT) veteran Don Karpowich at his home.

Don Karpowich smokes marijuana across the street from the State House in Trenton as he takes a break from protesting to have PTS added to the list of conditions that can be treated with medical marijuana in NJ.

Don Karpowich holds up a sign as he protests to have PTS added to the list of conditions that can be treated with medical marijuana in NJ, as he and others protest at the State House.

(right) Lamar Baker, 25, plays basketball with his son Khalil, 9, at Down Town Sports. Lamar's uncle Donald Osborne runs a basketball camp at the facility. Baker has multiple sclerosis. He is on disability and can not afford the cost of getting an ID card that would allow him to purchase marijuana legally. He uses marijuana to help with chronic pain.

Lamar Baker during physical therapy at Advantage Aquatic Rehabilitation & Wellness Center.

(right) Lamar Baker, 25, plays NBA 2K at home with his friend (left) Diamond Burgos, 20 of Teaneck.

Eric Haffner, 21, of Toms River, holds marijuana. Haffner says he smokes because it helps him with his PTS.

(right) Eric Haffner, 21, of Toms River, smokes marijuana as Andy Markoff, 23 of Middletown, looks on. Haffner says he smokes because it helps him with his PTS. Haffner can not legally get medical marijuana because people with PTS do not qualify in NJ. Markoff says he smokes because it helps him deal with back and knee pain, anxiety, and helps him fall asleep at night.