NJ medical cannabis law: Town Hall Meeting

This week the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) will hold a Town Hall Meeting regarding New Jersey’s new medical cannabis law. Prospective patients, medical marijuana policy experts and local advocates will present updates on the law’s progress and then answer questions from the public and the media.

The meeting takes place at the Collingswood Public Library from 12PM –2PM on Saturday March 20, 2010. MAP

Panelists will include: Ken Wolski RN, Chris Goldstein, Peter Rosenfeld, Jim Miller and Diane Fornbacher.

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law on January 19, 2010 after five years of legislative consideration. Patients expect the law to be fully implemented within 2010. The NJ Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS) will have the responsibility of overseeing the safe access program.

The CMMNJ Town Hall Meeting on 3/20 will focus on the following topics:
- Who will qualify for the program as patients and caregivers
- Operating an Alternative Treatment Center: possible regulations
- Awareness and Education for individuals and medical professionals

Panelists will also discuss the outcome of the Wilson trial. MS patient John Ray Wilson will be sentenced on Friday 3/19 at the Somerset County Courthouse. Wilson was acquitted by a jury on first-degree felony charges, but was convicted on second and third degree felonies for cultivating 17 cannabis plants. Wilson says that he was growing the cannabis to only treat his disease and does not have any health insurance.

The CMMNJ Town Hall Meeting is open to the public and the press.

Media interested in attending are asked to contact media@cmmnj.org or call 609 394 2137.