NJ: Supporters gather for historic medical marijuana vote

WHEN: 12 Noon January 11, 2010 WHERE: Trenton, State House 100 W. State Street CONTACT: Ken Wolski ohamkrw@aol.com

NJ: Supporters gather for historic medical marijuana vote

Trenton – Patients and advocates are gathering on January 11, 2010 to witness an historic vote in the New Jersey legislature on medical cannabis. First introduced in 2005, The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act has bi-partisan support and is favored to pass. It would make NJ the 14th state to offer regulated medical cannabis access to those suffering from serious medical conditions.

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) and NORML-NJ are coordinating public support in Trenton. Patients, their families and supporters of medical marijuana are being asked to continue their email and telephone contacts with legislators urging them to vote ‘yes’ on the bill. CONTACT NOW

CMMNJ has reserved Committee Room # 9 on the 3rd Floor of the State House Annex for media relations and a patient rest area on Monday. Supporters are being asked to have a strong presence in front of the State House as well as within the Senate and Assembly chambers. Free stickers and buttons will be available, please dress in business attire.

A press conference is planned in the Rotunda area of the State House following the final votes, when they occur. Because of the nature of these last legislative sessions an exact time will not be available. Please keep checking the CMMNJ Blog at www.cmmnj.org for updates on 1/11/10.

The current language of The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act A804/S119 would implement the most tightly regulated medical marijuana program in the country. Local advocates are confident that the bill will benefit those suffering from some of the most serious medical conditions anyone must bear such as HIV/AIDS, Cancer, MS and ALS.

Medical marijuana is a concept that has significant public support in New Jersey with 86% of residents backing a state authorized program. Most of the major newspapers in the region have offered their editorial endorsement of the bill. Organizations such as the New Jersey State Nurses Association, The New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians, The New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization along with other patient advocacy groups have strongly and consistently supported medical marijuana legislation in the state. More at www.cmmnj.org

Contacts and directions
Email NJ legislators about medical marijuana: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=12767456

Media may contact CMMNJ to speak with patients who would benefit from the program or for information about the bill:
Ken Wolski RN ohamkrw@aol.com 609 394 2137
Chris Goldstein activevoiceradio@gmail.com

Directions to the NJ State House in Trenton
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/directions.asp