Monthly Public Meeting Agenda
Lawrence Township Library
Tuesday, November 10, 2009; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. Approve minutes.
Discuss:
- New governor in NJ, but will the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act pass into law before he takes office? The bill is due for a vote by the Assembly this fall. Tell your legislators that you want the Senate version of the bill to pass into law. This version does not contain the very restrictive changes to the bill that was released by the Assembly Health Committee. See CMMNJ’s recent blog for talking points—but tell your story in your own words. See what a conservative Republican lawmaker in NJ thinks about medical marijuana.
- Support multiple sclerosis (MS) patient John Wilson, who faces 20 years in prison for growing marijuana to treat his MS. Wilson was forbidden by the judge to even mention his medical condition during the upcoming trial, scheduled to start 12/14. Join the rally 12/14/09 at the Somerville Court House. State Senators urge Gov. Corzine to pardon him. Send your own e-mail to the governor. DOJ memo: Federal prosecution of medical marijuana patients to end.
- CMMNJ is scheduled to appear at the following upcoming events:
· Sat., 11/7, noon to 9PM, Skidfest, U. of Delaware, Newark, DE.
· Sun., 11/8, 9:30 PM & Wed., 11/11, 5:30 PM, Larry Kane's "Voice of Reason" on the Comcast Network.
· November 16 – 19, League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City
· Sat., 11/21, 12:30 - 2:30 PM, Medical Marijuana Info Seminar, Collingswood Public Library
· Mon., 12/14, 9:00 AM Rally at Somerset Co. Court House, Somerville, NJ to support John Wilson.
- CMMNJ recently appeared at the following events: 10/10, Ewing Community Fest, TCNJ; 10/17 Medical Marijuana Information Seminar, Collingswood Public Library; 10/19, Ocean Co. Community College Medical Marijuana Debate; 10/20, NORML NJ Open Mtng., Wash. Twp, NJ.
- See Ken’s Facebook page & Facebook Friends of CMMNJ!
- Treasury report: Current balances: Checking: $4456.89; PayPal: $561.26. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) organization, to fund public education about medical marijuana. Donations may be made securely through Paypal or checks made out to “CMMNJ” and sent to the address below. Get a free t-shirt for a donation above $15—specify size. Thank you for your support.
Scheduled meetings are Nov. 10, Dec. 8, 2009 & Jan. 12, 2010. 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(at)aol.com
Do you agree that the prosecution of John Wilson is "inappropriate and inhumane" and "a complete waste of taxpayer money”? Send an e-mail to the New Jersey Governor and Attorney General with just a few clicks of your mouse. You can also customize your letter, like I did below. See how easy it is at:
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=14300601
November 5, 2009
Dear Governor Corzine,
As a registered nurse with 33 years of experience in New Jersey, I am
joining members of the New Jersey State Senate who have called for the
pardon of multiple sclerosis patient John Wilson. Wilson faces up to 20
years in prison because he used marijuana to alleviate his pain and
suffering. Senators have publicly denounced the prosecution of Wilson to
be "inappropriate and inhumane" and "a complete waste of taxpayer money."
I can't agree more.
There is no justice in the state's prosecution of John Wilson. I wish to
add my voice to those calling for Wilson's pardon.
New Jersey stands on the threshold of becoming the 14th state to allow for
the legal use of marijuana under a doctor's supervision. The "New Jersey
Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act," which the Senate approved in
February 2009, only awaits a floor vote by Assembly before becoming law.
This bill will protect patients like Wilson who use marijuana
therapeutically. Even the federal government's attitude about medical
marijuana is changing. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has instructed
federal authorities recently not to arrest or prosecute medical marijuana
patients or caregivers in the 13 states with medical marijuana laws, as
long as they are in compliance with state law.
Wilson's jury trial starts December 14, 2009 and the judge has ruled that
Wilson will not be permitted to tell the jury that he suffers from
multiple sclerosis and that his use of marijuana was for medical purposes
only. Senator Nick Scutari said that Wilson's trial will likely be a relic
of "New Jersey's outdated, socially irresponsible and fiscally
reprehensible approach in treating patients using medical marijuana like
hardened criminals."
It is time to stop this senseless prosecution and pardon John Wilson.
Sincerely,
Ken Wolski, RN
cc: Attorney General Milgram
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