CMMNJ September Meeting Minutes

Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey
Monthly Public Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 8, 2009; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

7:15 PM: Meeting called to order. August minutes approved. Discussion:

Ø Very successful rally at the Somerset Co. Court House in support multiple sclerosis (MS) patient John Wilson, who faces 20 years in prison for growing marijuana to treat his disease.

See photos and video of the August 21 court house rally. Wilson was forbidden by the judge to even mention his medical condition during the upcoming trial. Juries have the power to declare Wilson not guilty. CMMNJ will follow this case closely. Very persuasive letter sent to A.G Milgram by Board member Ed Hannaman.

Ø Seton Hall Position Paper and Philadelphia Weekly article support NJ’s Compassionate Use Act (S119).

Ø CMMNJ is scheduled to appear at the following upcoming events. Volunteers are needed at all events:

· Sun., 9/13, 10 AM - 4 PM; Hamilton Septemberfest, Veteran’s Park, Hamilton Twp., NJ;

· Sat., 9/19, High Noon; Boston Freedom Rally, Boston Common, Boston, Mass.;

· Thurs. – Sat., 9/24-26, National NORML Conference, San Francisco, CA.;

· Sun., 10/4 12:30 PM – 4 PM, Lawrence Community Day, Village Park, Lawrence Twp., NJ;

· Sat., 10/10, 10 AM – 5 PM, Ewing Community Fest, The College of New Jersey, Ewing Twp., NJ.

· CMMNJ will look into appearing at the League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City this fall.

Ø The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which was approved by the state senate in February, is due for a vote by the Assembly this fall, after the November elections. Tell your legislators that you want the Senate version of the bill, that is not as restrictive as the Assembly version, to pass into law. See CMMNJ’s recent blog for talking points. CMMNJ will schedule meetings with legislative leaders. Patients are encouraged to attend.

Ø CMMNJ is now a cause on Facebook! See Ken’s birthday wish. See NORML NJ’s new web site.

Ø Treasury report: Current account balances: Checking: $4168.21; PayPal: $191.02. CMMNJ will consider using funds to take out educational ads in various media. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) organization. All funds received go towards public education about medical marijuana. Donations may be made securely through Paypal or checks made out to “CMMNJ” and sent to corporate headquarters at the address below. Get a free t-shirt for a donation above $15—specify size. Thank you for your support.

9:00 PM: Meeting adjourned.

Scheduled CMMNJ meetings are Oct. 13, Nov. 10, & Dec. 8, 2009. CMMNJ meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Lawrence Twp. Library from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM. All are welcome. Snacks are served. The library is at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Twp., Tel. #609.882.9246. (Meeting at the library does not imply their endorsement of our issue.) For more info, contact:

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org
844 Spruce St., Trenton, NJ 08648
(609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com