New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a notoriously conservative Republican and former U.S. Attorney, said last week a new memo from the U.S. Justice Department has cleared up his worries that the New Jersey dispensaries could be targets of federal prosecutors. With his objections now cleared up, six dispensaries are set to open by the end of 2011.

Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee hasn’t reached the same comfort level. Chafee spokesman Michael Trainor says his governor’s legal staff is still conducting a review of an earlier Justice Department memo warning the three planned Rhode Island dispensaries could face federal prosecution. Trainor says Chafee “has set no deadline” for that review to end.

Sixteen states and Washington D.C. already have provisions regarding Medical Marijuana. 10 states currently have pending legislation to legalize Medical Marijuana.

Thanks go to The Hartford Advocate for bringing us this story.