FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/29/2010
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ)
www.cmmnj.org
CONTACT: Ken Wolski RN 609 394 2137 ohamkrw@aol.com or media@cmmnj.org
New Jersey delays medical marijuana law
Trenton - The New Jersey Senate and Assembly passed bills to move back the effective date of state’s medical marijuana law by 90 days. The long-suffering residents who will qualify for the program were relieved that legislators rejected a request from Governor Christie for a 6-12 month delay in the law.
There was also a tepid response among patients and elected officials to proposals from the Governor for a fundamental redesign of the medical cannabis program.
The amendments passed yesterday make the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act effective on October 1, 2010. This will give state government officials until January 1, 2011 to finalize rules and regulations.
Ken Wolski RN, the Executive Director of CMMNJ said today, “ A three-month delay is better than a six or 12 month delay. We're also grateful that the legislature did not attempt to amend the content of the law.”
The Department of Health and Senior Services has oversight of the medical cannabis program. DHSS Commissioner Dr. Poonam Alaigh fully endorsed the medical and scientific value of cannabis in a recent New Jersey Network (NJN) appearance.
Peter Rosenfeld, a potential patient on the Board of Directors at the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey said “We hope that during this delay NJ-DHSS is more transparent than it has been in the last six months, allowing our group and other interested groups to give feedback about the program.”
So far, DHSS and other state officials have not met with any local advocacy groups or residents that the law was written to serve. This has left many preparing for a bigger effort to get the medical marijuana law put into practice.
Wolski said CMMNJ meetings have seen their strongest attendance in the last few months. “This is an agonizing delay. Marijuana is medicine in New Jersey and patients deserve, want, and need timely access to it.”
CONTACT: Ken Wolski RN 609 394 2137 ohamkrw@aol.com or media@cmmnj.org
The next CMMNJ public meeting takes place Tuesday July 13th at the Lawrence Township Library at 7:00PM
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
New Jersey delays medical marijuana law
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Supporters - Final vote on medical cannabis delay Monday 6/28
NJ patients and supporters of immediate implementation of the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act are invited to witness the voting on the amendment to delay implementation of this act on Monday, 6-28-10 at the State House in Trenton, NJ.
It is not known exactly when the vote will take place. Supporters are invited to come to CMMNJ headquarters (address below) anytime after 12:00 noon on Monday to await the vote, only five minutes from the State House. Patients and advocates will hold a press conference for the media after the vote.
It's not too late to tell your legislator to vote "no" on the delay. Use this form: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=15171111
Please consider making a donation to CMMNJ and helping with our work, we are the only tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit focused on medical marijuana education in New Jersey. www.cmmnj.org
Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director
Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org
609.394.2137
ohamkrw@aol.com
It is not known exactly when the vote will take place. Supporters are invited to come to CMMNJ headquarters (address below) anytime after 12:00 noon on Monday to await the vote, only five minutes from the State House. Patients and advocates will hold a press conference for the media after the vote.
It's not too late to tell your legislator to vote "no" on the delay. Use this form: http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=15171111
Please consider making a donation to CMMNJ and helping with our work, we are the only tax-exempt 501c3 non-profit focused on medical marijuana education in New Jersey. www.cmmnj.org
Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director
Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org
609.394.2137
ohamkrw@aol.com
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Supporters - contact your legislators!
Supporters of medical marijuana in New Jersey - National NORML has set up a service to email all NJ legislators and the Governor asking them to put The Compassionate Use Act into practice.
Please take a moment to send an email here
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=15171111
Link to a blog summary of the topic is below-
NJ: Legislature may keep medical marijuana law intact
Please take a moment to send an email here
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=15171111
Link to a blog summary of the topic is below-
NJ: Legislature may keep medical marijuana law intact
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Governor's big medical marijuana concept is unworkable
Governor's big medical marijuana concept is unworkable
By Chris Goldstein 6/19/2010
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and DHSS Commissioner Dr. Poonam Alaigh have all kinds of ideas about medical marijuana. Proposed amendments, looking to be passed as last-minute legislation next week, would completely re-invent New Jersey’s medical cannabis program to their design.
Governor Christie’s administration has kept a closed-door on recent discussions to alter The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The bill took five years to pass and resulted in the nation’s strictest language for legal therapeutic cannabis use.
Potential patients, advocates and the public have been left out of plans to make changes to the hard-won law. The result is a set of proposals that would effectively doom the program to fail, before it goes into effect.
Once again ill patients could be left with only the underground market for access to cannabis for therapeutic use.
READ FULL ARTICLE
By Chris Goldstein 6/19/2010
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and DHSS Commissioner Dr. Poonam Alaigh have all kinds of ideas about medical marijuana. Proposed amendments, looking to be passed as last-minute legislation next week, would completely re-invent New Jersey’s medical cannabis program to their design.
Governor Christie’s administration has kept a closed-door on recent discussions to alter The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The bill took five years to pass and resulted in the nation’s strictest language for legal therapeutic cannabis use.
Potential patients, advocates and the public have been left out of plans to make changes to the hard-won law. The result is a set of proposals that would effectively doom the program to fail, before it goes into effect.
Once again ill patients could be left with only the underground market for access to cannabis for therapeutic use.
READ FULL ARTICLE
More about medical marijuana in New Jersey at www.cmmnj.org
Read the full text of NJ's medical marijuana law http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/307_.HTM
Saturday, June 19, 2010
S119--Roll Call; How your legislator voted
S119 "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act." *
Bills and Joint Resolutions Signed by the Governor
Identical Bill Number: A804 (ACS/1R)
Last Session Bill Number: S88 A933
Scutari, Nicholas P. as Primary Sponsor
Whelan, Jim as Primary Sponsor
Gusciora, Reed as Primary Sponsor
Carroll, Michael Patrick as Primary Sponsor
Voss, Joan M. as Primary Sponsor
Cunningham, Sandra B. as Co-Sponsor
Lesniak, Raymond J. as Co-Sponsor
Stack, Brian P. as Co-Sponsor
Sweeney, Stephen M. as Co-Sponsor
Weinberg, Loretta as Co-Sponsor
Vitale, Joseph F. as Co-Sponsor
Vainieri Huttle, Valerie as Co-Sponsor
Giblin, Thomas P. as Co-Sponsor
Wagner, Connie as Co-Sponsor
Oliver, Sheila Y. as Co-Sponsor
Prieto, Vincent as Co-Sponsor
Tucker, Cleopatra G. as Co-Sponsor
Johnson, Gordon M. as Co-Sponsor
Jasey, Mila M. as Co-Sponsor
Stender, Linda as Co-Sponsor
1/8/2008 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
12/15/2008 Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
2/23/2009 Passed by the Senate (22-16)
2/26/2009 Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee
6/4/2009 Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading
1/7/2010 Assembly Floor Amendment Passed (Gusciora)
1/11/2010 Substituted for A804 (ACS/1R)
1/11/2010 Motion To Aa (Angelini)
1/11/2010 Motion To Table (Watson Coleman) (47-26-0)
1/11/2010 Passed by the Assembly (48-14-0)
1/11/2010 Received in the Senate, 2nd Reading on Concurrence
1/11/2010 Passed Senate (Passed Both Houses) (25-13)
1/18/2010 Approved P.L.2009, c.307.
Introduced - 12 pages
Reprint - 10 pages
Statement - SHH 12/15/08 - 5 pages
Reprint - 20 pages
Statement - AHE 6/4/09 1R - 7 pages
Floor Statement - Assembly 1/7/10 2R - 3 pages
Reprint - 25 pages
Advance Law - 24 pages
Pamphlet Law - 11 pages
Committee Voting:
SHH 12/15/2008 - r/Sca - Yes {6} No {1} Not Voting {1} Abstains {2} - Roll Call
Vitale, Joseph F. (C) - Yes Weinberg, Loretta (V) - Yes Allen, Diane B. - Abstain
Baroni, Bill - Yes Gordon, Robert M. - Yes Kean, Thomas H., Jr. - No
Redd, Dana L. - Yes Rice, Ronald L. - Abstain Singer, Robert W. - Not Voting
Whelan, Jim - Yes
AHE 6/4/2009 - r/Aca - Yes {8} No {1} Not Voting {0} Abstains {2} - Roll Call
Conaway, Herb, Jr. (C) - Yes Wagner, Connie (V) - Yes Angelini, Mary Pat - No
Chiappone, Anthony - Yes Green, Jerry - Yes Greenstein, Linda R. - Yes
Love, Sandra - Yes Munoz, Nancy F. - Abstain Polistina, Vincent J. - Abstain
Quigley, Joan M. - Yes Stender, Linda - Yes
Session Voting:
Sen. 2/23/2009 - 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Yes {22} No {16} Not Voting {2} - Roll Call
Allen, Diane B. - No Baroni, Bill - Yes Bateman, Christopher - Yes
Beach, James - Yes Beck, Jennifer - No Bucco, Anthony R. - No
Buono, Barbara - Yes Cardinale, Gerald - No Ciesla, Andrew R. - No
Codey, Richard J. - No Connors, Christopher J. - No Cunningham, Sandra B. - Yes
Gill, Nia H. - Not Voting Girgenti, John A. - Yes Gordon, Robert M. - Yes
Haines, Philip E. - No Karrow, Marcia A. - No Kean, Sean T. - Yes
Kean, Thomas H., Jr. - No Kyrillos, Joseph M., Jr. - No Lesniak, Raymond J. - Yes
Madden, Fred H., Jr. - No O'Toole, Kevin J. - No Oroho, Steven V. - No
Pennacchio, Joseph - Yes Redd, Dana L. - No Rice, Ronald L. - Not Voting
Ruiz, M. Teresa - Yes Sacco, Nicholas J. - Yes Sarlo, Paul A. - Yes
Scutari, Nicholas P. - Yes Singer, Robert W. - Yes Smith, Bob - Yes
Stack, Brian P. - Yes Sweeney, Stephen M. - Yes Turner, Shirley K. - No
Van Drew, Jeff - Yes Vitale, Joseph F. - Yes Weinberg, Loretta - Yes
Whelan, Jim - Yes
Asm. 1/11/2010 - SUBSTITUTE FOR A804 Acs - Yes {0} No {0} Not Voting {80} Abstains {0} - Voice Vote Passed
Asm. 1/11/2010 - MOTION TAB MOTION - Yes {47} No {26} Not Voting {7} Abstains {0} - Roll Call
Asm. 1/11/2010 - 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Yes {48} No {14} Not Voting {18} Abstains {0} - Roll Call
Addiego, Dawn Marie - No Albano, Nelson T. - No Amodeo, John F. - Not Voting
Angelini, Mary Pat - Not Voting Barnes, Peter J., III - Yes Biondi, Peter J. - Not Voting
Bramnick, Jon M. - No Burzichelli, John J. - Yes Caputo, Ralph R. - Yes
Carroll, Michael Patrick - Yes Casagrande, Caroline - Yes Chiappone, Anthony - Yes
Chiusano, Gary R. - Not Voting Chivukula, Upendra J. - Yes Conaway, Herb, Jr. - Yes
Conners, Jack - Yes Coutinho, Albert - Yes Coyle, Denise M. - Not Voting
Cruz-Perez, Nilsa - Yes Cryan, Joseph - Yes Dancer, Ronald S. - No
DeAngelo, Wayne P. - Yes DeCroce, Alex - No DiMaio, John - No
Diegnan, Patrick J., Jr. - Yes Egan, Joseph V. - Yes Evans, Elease - Yes
Giblin, Thomas P. - Yes Gove, DiAnne C. - Not Voting Green, Jerry - Yes
Greenstein, Linda R. - Yes Greenwald, Louis D. - Yes Gusciora, Reed - Yes
Handlin, Amy H. - Not Voting Holzapfel, James W. - Not Voting Jasey, Mila M. - Yes
Johnson, Gordon M. - Yes Lampitt, Pamela R. - Yes Love, Sandra - Yes
Malone, Joseph R., III - No McHose, Alison Littell - Not Voting McKeon, John F. - Yes
Merkt, Richard A. - No Milam, Matthew W. - No Moriarty, Paul D. - Yes
Munoz, Nancy F. - Not Voting O'Scanlon, Declan J., Jr. - Yes Oliver, Sheila Y. - Yes
Peterson, Erik - No Polistina, Vincent J. - Not Voting Pou, Nellie - Yes
Prieto, Vincent - Yes Quigley, Joan M. - Yes Quijano, Annette - Yes
Ramos, Ruben J., Jr. - Yes Rible, David P. - No Riley, Celeste M. - Yes
Roberts, Joseph J., Jr. - Yes Rodriguez, Caridad - Yes Rooney, John E. - Not Voting
Rudder, Scott - Not Voting Rumana, Scott T. - No Rumpf, Brian E. - No
Russo, David C. - No Scalera, Frederick - Yes Schaer, Gary S. - Yes
Smith, L. Harvey - Not Voting Spencer, L. Grace - Yes Stender, Linda - Yes
Thompson, Samuel D. - Not Voting Tucker, Cleopatra G. - Yes Vainieri Huttle, Valerie - Yes
Vandervalk, Charlotte - Yes Vas, Joseph - Not Voting Voss, Joan M. - Yes
Wagner, Connie - Yes Watson Coleman, Bonnie - Yes Webber, Jay - Not Voting
Wisniewski, John S. - Yes Wolfe, David W. - Not Voting
Sen. 1/11/2010 - CONCUR ASMB AMEND - Yes {25} No {13} Not Voting {1} - Roll Call
Allen, Diane B. - Not Voting Baroni, Bill - Yes Bateman, Christopher - Yes
Beach, James - Yes Beck, Jennifer - No Bucco, Anthony R. - No
Buono, Barbara - Yes Cardinale, Gerald - No Ciesla, Andrew R. - Yes
Codey, Richard J. - No Connors, Christopher J. - No Cunningham, Sandra B. - Yes
Doherty, Michael J. - No Gill, Nia H. - Yes Girgenti, John A. - Yes
Gordon, Robert M. - Yes Haines, Philip E. - No Kean, Sean T. - Yes
Kean, Thomas H., Jr. - No Kyrillos, Joseph M., Jr. - No Lesniak, Raymond J. - Yes
Madden, Fred H., Jr. - No O'Toole, Kevin J. - No Oroho, Steven V. - No
Pennacchio, Joseph - Yes Rice, Ronald L. - No Ruiz, M. Teresa - Yes
Sacco, Nicholas J. - Yes Sarlo, Paul A. - Yes Scutari, Nicholas P. - Yes
Singer, Robert W. - Yes Smith, Bob - Yes Stack, Brian P. - Yes
Sweeney, Stephen M. - Yes Turner, Shirley K. - Yes Van Drew, Jeff - Yes
Vitale, Joseph F. - Yes Weinberg, Loretta - Yes Whelan, Jim - Yes
Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director
Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org
219 Woodside Ave.
Trenton, NJ 08618
ohamkrw@aol.com
Bills and Joint Resolutions Signed by the Governor
Identical Bill Number: A804 (ACS/1R)
Last Session Bill Number: S88 A933
Scutari, Nicholas P. as Primary Sponsor
Whelan, Jim as Primary Sponsor
Gusciora, Reed as Primary Sponsor
Carroll, Michael Patrick as Primary Sponsor
Voss, Joan M. as Primary Sponsor
Cunningham, Sandra B. as Co-Sponsor
Lesniak, Raymond J. as Co-Sponsor
Stack, Brian P. as Co-Sponsor
Sweeney, Stephen M. as Co-Sponsor
Weinberg, Loretta as Co-Sponsor
Vitale, Joseph F. as Co-Sponsor
Vainieri Huttle, Valerie as Co-Sponsor
Giblin, Thomas P. as Co-Sponsor
Wagner, Connie as Co-Sponsor
Oliver, Sheila Y. as Co-Sponsor
Prieto, Vincent as Co-Sponsor
Tucker, Cleopatra G. as Co-Sponsor
Johnson, Gordon M. as Co-Sponsor
Jasey, Mila M. as Co-Sponsor
Stender, Linda as Co-Sponsor
1/8/2008 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee
12/15/2008 Reported from Senate Committee with Amendments, 2nd Reading
2/23/2009 Passed by the Senate (22-16)
2/26/2009 Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee
6/4/2009 Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading
1/7/2010 Assembly Floor Amendment Passed (Gusciora)
1/11/2010 Substituted for A804 (ACS/1R)
1/11/2010 Motion To Aa (Angelini)
1/11/2010 Motion To Table (Watson Coleman) (47-26-0)
1/11/2010 Passed by the Assembly (48-14-0)
1/11/2010 Received in the Senate, 2nd Reading on Concurrence
1/11/2010 Passed Senate (Passed Both Houses) (25-13)
1/18/2010 Approved P.L.2009, c.307.
Introduced - 12 pages
Reprint - 10 pages
Statement - SHH 12/15/08 - 5 pages
Reprint - 20 pages
Statement - AHE 6/4/09 1R - 7 pages
Floor Statement - Assembly 1/7/10 2R - 3 pages
Reprint - 25 pages
Advance Law - 24 pages
Pamphlet Law - 11 pages
Committee Voting:
SHH 12/15/2008 - r/Sca - Yes {6} No {1} Not Voting {1} Abstains {2} - Roll Call
Vitale, Joseph F. (C) - Yes Weinberg, Loretta (V) - Yes Allen, Diane B. - Abstain
Baroni, Bill - Yes Gordon, Robert M. - Yes Kean, Thomas H., Jr. - No
Redd, Dana L. - Yes Rice, Ronald L. - Abstain Singer, Robert W. - Not Voting
Whelan, Jim - Yes
AHE 6/4/2009 - r/Aca - Yes {8} No {1} Not Voting {0} Abstains {2} - Roll Call
Conaway, Herb, Jr. (C) - Yes Wagner, Connie (V) - Yes Angelini, Mary Pat - No
Chiappone, Anthony - Yes Green, Jerry - Yes Greenstein, Linda R. - Yes
Love, Sandra - Yes Munoz, Nancy F. - Abstain Polistina, Vincent J. - Abstain
Quigley, Joan M. - Yes Stender, Linda - Yes
Session Voting:
Sen. 2/23/2009 - 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Yes {22} No {16} Not Voting {2} - Roll Call
Allen, Diane B. - No Baroni, Bill - Yes Bateman, Christopher - Yes
Beach, James - Yes Beck, Jennifer - No Bucco, Anthony R. - No
Buono, Barbara - Yes Cardinale, Gerald - No Ciesla, Andrew R. - No
Codey, Richard J. - No Connors, Christopher J. - No Cunningham, Sandra B. - Yes
Gill, Nia H. - Not Voting Girgenti, John A. - Yes Gordon, Robert M. - Yes
Haines, Philip E. - No Karrow, Marcia A. - No Kean, Sean T. - Yes
Kean, Thomas H., Jr. - No Kyrillos, Joseph M., Jr. - No Lesniak, Raymond J. - Yes
Madden, Fred H., Jr. - No O'Toole, Kevin J. - No Oroho, Steven V. - No
Pennacchio, Joseph - Yes Redd, Dana L. - No Rice, Ronald L. - Not Voting
Ruiz, M. Teresa - Yes Sacco, Nicholas J. - Yes Sarlo, Paul A. - Yes
Scutari, Nicholas P. - Yes Singer, Robert W. - Yes Smith, Bob - Yes
Stack, Brian P. - Yes Sweeney, Stephen M. - Yes Turner, Shirley K. - No
Van Drew, Jeff - Yes Vitale, Joseph F. - Yes Weinberg, Loretta - Yes
Whelan, Jim - Yes
Asm. 1/11/2010 - SUBSTITUTE FOR A804 Acs - Yes {0} No {0} Not Voting {80} Abstains {0} - Voice Vote Passed
Asm. 1/11/2010 - MOTION TAB MOTION - Yes {47} No {26} Not Voting {7} Abstains {0} - Roll Call
Asm. 1/11/2010 - 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Yes {48} No {14} Not Voting {18} Abstains {0} - Roll Call
Addiego, Dawn Marie - No Albano, Nelson T. - No Amodeo, John F. - Not Voting
Angelini, Mary Pat - Not Voting Barnes, Peter J., III - Yes Biondi, Peter J. - Not Voting
Bramnick, Jon M. - No Burzichelli, John J. - Yes Caputo, Ralph R. - Yes
Carroll, Michael Patrick - Yes Casagrande, Caroline - Yes Chiappone, Anthony - Yes
Chiusano, Gary R. - Not Voting Chivukula, Upendra J. - Yes Conaway, Herb, Jr. - Yes
Conners, Jack - Yes Coutinho, Albert - Yes Coyle, Denise M. - Not Voting
Cruz-Perez, Nilsa - Yes Cryan, Joseph - Yes Dancer, Ronald S. - No
DeAngelo, Wayne P. - Yes DeCroce, Alex - No DiMaio, John - No
Diegnan, Patrick J., Jr. - Yes Egan, Joseph V. - Yes Evans, Elease - Yes
Giblin, Thomas P. - Yes Gove, DiAnne C. - Not Voting Green, Jerry - Yes
Greenstein, Linda R. - Yes Greenwald, Louis D. - Yes Gusciora, Reed - Yes
Handlin, Amy H. - Not Voting Holzapfel, James W. - Not Voting Jasey, Mila M. - Yes
Johnson, Gordon M. - Yes Lampitt, Pamela R. - Yes Love, Sandra - Yes
Malone, Joseph R., III - No McHose, Alison Littell - Not Voting McKeon, John F. - Yes
Merkt, Richard A. - No Milam, Matthew W. - No Moriarty, Paul D. - Yes
Munoz, Nancy F. - Not Voting O'Scanlon, Declan J., Jr. - Yes Oliver, Sheila Y. - Yes
Peterson, Erik - No Polistina, Vincent J. - Not Voting Pou, Nellie - Yes
Prieto, Vincent - Yes Quigley, Joan M. - Yes Quijano, Annette - Yes
Ramos, Ruben J., Jr. - Yes Rible, David P. - No Riley, Celeste M. - Yes
Roberts, Joseph J., Jr. - Yes Rodriguez, Caridad - Yes Rooney, John E. - Not Voting
Rudder, Scott - Not Voting Rumana, Scott T. - No Rumpf, Brian E. - No
Russo, David C. - No Scalera, Frederick - Yes Schaer, Gary S. - Yes
Smith, L. Harvey - Not Voting Spencer, L. Grace - Yes Stender, Linda - Yes
Thompson, Samuel D. - Not Voting Tucker, Cleopatra G. - Yes Vainieri Huttle, Valerie - Yes
Vandervalk, Charlotte - Yes Vas, Joseph - Not Voting Voss, Joan M. - Yes
Wagner, Connie - Yes Watson Coleman, Bonnie - Yes Webber, Jay - Not Voting
Wisniewski, John S. - Yes Wolfe, David W. - Not Voting
Sen. 1/11/2010 - CONCUR ASMB AMEND - Yes {25} No {13} Not Voting {1} - Roll Call
Allen, Diane B. - Not Voting Baroni, Bill - Yes Bateman, Christopher - Yes
Beach, James - Yes Beck, Jennifer - No Bucco, Anthony R. - No
Buono, Barbara - Yes Cardinale, Gerald - No Ciesla, Andrew R. - Yes
Codey, Richard J. - No Connors, Christopher J. - No Cunningham, Sandra B. - Yes
Doherty, Michael J. - No Gill, Nia H. - Yes Girgenti, John A. - Yes
Gordon, Robert M. - Yes Haines, Philip E. - No Kean, Sean T. - Yes
Kean, Thomas H., Jr. - No Kyrillos, Joseph M., Jr. - No Lesniak, Raymond J. - Yes
Madden, Fred H., Jr. - No O'Toole, Kevin J. - No Oroho, Steven V. - No
Pennacchio, Joseph - Yes Rice, Ronald L. - No Ruiz, M. Teresa - Yes
Sacco, Nicholas J. - Yes Sarlo, Paul A. - Yes Scutari, Nicholas P. - Yes
Singer, Robert W. - Yes Smith, Bob - Yes Stack, Brian P. - Yes
Sweeney, Stephen M. - Yes Turner, Shirley K. - Yes Van Drew, Jeff - Yes
Vitale, Joseph F. - Yes Weinberg, Loretta - Yes Whelan, Jim - Yes
Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director
Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org
219 Woodside Ave.
Trenton, NJ 08618
ohamkrw@aol.com
AP: Christie considers changes to law
AP: Christie considers changes to law.
Advocates of medical use of marijuana in New Jersey are buzzing over word that Gov. Christie is floating major changes to the way pot could be legally grown and distributed, before a system already signed into law can take effect.Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20100619_Christie_considers_changes_to_law_.html#ixzz0rI98q9fkRutgers University's New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and the New Jersey Hospital Association said Friday that the administration had contacted them in recent weeks about taking a role in producing and distributing medical marijuana.
Both groups said the talks were preliminary and legal issues would need to be worked out first, but both said they're interested.
The idea of having the university and hospitals as the sole growers and dispensers was first reported Friday by the Newark Star-Ledger. Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Christie, would not speak about the plans Friday other than to say many options were being considered.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
New Jersey may amend medical marijuana law
New Jersey may amend medical marijuana law; advocates call for no delay
New Jersey officials are scrambling to extend their deadline for implementing the medical marijuana law. The Governor's Counsel and the Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner have been meeting with legislators recently to discuss the length of the delay, which could put off the first legal access by registered patients into 2011.
READ FULL ARTICLE
New Jersey officials are scrambling to extend their deadline for implementing the medical marijuana law. The Governor's Counsel and the Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner have been meeting with legislators recently to discuss the length of the delay, which could put off the first legal access by registered patients into 2011.
READ FULL ARTICLE
Monday, June 14, 2010
Medical Marijuana Press Conference in Jersey City on 6/17
MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/14/2010
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ)
www.cmmnj.org
Medical Marijuana Press Conference in Jersey City on 6/17
City officials work on guidelines; patients, professionals seek timely regulations
On Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 1 PM, New Jersey medical marijuana advocacy groups will hold a press conference in front of City Hall in Jersey City.
Local cannabis policy experts are working closely with Jersey City officials to create municipal guidelines for the placement of an Alternative Treatment Center. The second largest city in New Jersey is seeking to welcome local, non-profit medical marijuana providers once they can be licensed for operation.
"Guidelines in Jersey City and other towns will assure a local infrastructure is ready for regulated cannabis facilities to serve patients as quickly as possible," said CMMNJ/NORMLNJ advocate Chris Goldstein
Last month a request was made by Governor Christie for a six to twelve month extension on the issuance of the medical marijuana program regulations. The extension would require additional legislation.
The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law January, 11 2010. As passed, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) was to issue draft regulations in July. Patients are anticipating access to a running program by the fall.
CMMNJ and NORML-NJ do not see any need for a delay.
Ken Wolski, a Registered Nurse and Executive Director of CMMNJ said, “If the DHSS cannot write these regulations in 6 months, there is no guarantee they will be able to write them in 18 months. Patients are suffering as they continue to wait for the program.”
Anne M. Davis, Executive Director of NORML-NJ said, “This is a law and there are no exceptions. There are patients with chronic or even terminal illnesses that cannot get an extension on life.”
The 6/17/10 press conference will feature brief statements along with a Q&A.
Speakers will include potential medical marijuana patients, medical professionals and supporters of the new law who will address the proposed delay in implementing the state's therapeutic cannabis program.
Media may contact:
Ken Wolski: ohamkrw@aol.com (609) 394-2137
Anne Davis: law@annemdavis.com (732) 477-4700
Chris Goldstein: media@cmmnj.org
WHAT: Medical marijuana press conference
WHERE: Jersey City, NJ – In front of City Hall – 280 Grove Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
WHEN: June 17, 2010 at 1:00 PM
WHY: Timely implementation of New Jersey’s medical marijuana law, local ATC guidelines
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/14/2010
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ)
www.cmmnj.org
Medical Marijuana Press Conference in Jersey City on 6/17
City officials work on guidelines; patients, professionals seek timely regulations
On Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 1 PM, New Jersey medical marijuana advocacy groups will hold a press conference in front of City Hall in Jersey City.
Local cannabis policy experts are working closely with Jersey City officials to create municipal guidelines for the placement of an Alternative Treatment Center. The second largest city in New Jersey is seeking to welcome local, non-profit medical marijuana providers once they can be licensed for operation.
"Guidelines in Jersey City and other towns will assure a local infrastructure is ready for regulated cannabis facilities to serve patients as quickly as possible," said CMMNJ/NORMLNJ advocate Chris Goldstein
Last month a request was made by Governor Christie for a six to twelve month extension on the issuance of the medical marijuana program regulations. The extension would require additional legislation.
The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law January, 11 2010. As passed, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) was to issue draft regulations in July. Patients are anticipating access to a running program by the fall.
CMMNJ and NORML-NJ do not see any need for a delay.
Ken Wolski, a Registered Nurse and Executive Director of CMMNJ said, “If the DHSS cannot write these regulations in 6 months, there is no guarantee they will be able to write them in 18 months. Patients are suffering as they continue to wait for the program.”
Anne M. Davis, Executive Director of NORML-NJ said, “This is a law and there are no exceptions. There are patients with chronic or even terminal illnesses that cannot get an extension on life.”
The 6/17/10 press conference will feature brief statements along with a Q&A.
Speakers will include potential medical marijuana patients, medical professionals and supporters of the new law who will address the proposed delay in implementing the state's therapeutic cannabis program.
Media may contact:
Ken Wolski: ohamkrw@aol.com (609) 394-2137
Anne Davis: law@annemdavis.com (732) 477-4700
Chris Goldstein: media@cmmnj.org
WHAT: Medical marijuana press conference
WHERE: Jersey City, NJ – In front of City Hall – 280 Grove Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
WHEN: June 17, 2010 at 1:00 PM
WHY: Timely implementation of New Jersey’s medical marijuana law, local ATC guidelines
NJ DHSS email to medical marijuana advocates
The following email was received by CMMNJ Board member Peter Rosenfeld from the New Jersey department of Health and Senior Services:
From: Medical.Marijuana@doh.state.nj.us
At this time, the Department is not reviewing proposals or receiving documents, nor is the Department meeting with potential vendors, advocacy groups, lobbyists or other interested parties to present business plans, strategies or offers of assistance. Given the large numbers and diverse recommendations, we believe this is the best way to assure an objective, science based strategy.
As you are aware, medical marijuana is not available in the state of New Jersey. The Department must first establish a process to register qualified patients, caregivers and alternate treatment centers. This includes the continuation of coordinated implementation strategies amongst all state agencies to ensure all issues are addressed adequately. Full implementation of the New Jersey Compassionate Use of Marijuana Act awaits completion of this mandated process, which will assure the intent of the Act is accessible to those patients with designated medical conditions, while ensuring that it is implemented in a safe and effective manner.
For additional information regarding this topic, please visit our website at www.nj.gov/health for the most current information about the implementation of the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, including frequently asked questions.
Final version of NJ medical marijuana law published
Read the final version of the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/307_.HTM
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/307_.HTM
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Media coverage of CMMNJ/NORMLNJ press conference
By - Diane Fornbacher : CMMNJ Advisory Board
On Friday 6/4/2010, the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey and NORML New Jersey had a press conference regarding our governor's desire to change the law and get an extension on implementing the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.
Our team included Anne Davis from NORMLNJ, Ken Wolski RN the Exec director of CMMNJ, Jim Miller of CMMNJ, Attorney William Buckman of NORMLNJ, CMMNJ Board member Peter Rosenfeld, Chris Goldstein from CMMNJ/ NORMLNJ/PhillyNORML along with dozens of patients and supporters. It was one of the best press conferences/rallies I have ever attended.
Here are some links to the coverage we received from the conference on the NJ Statehouse steps:
Star Ledger (nj.com): http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/legal_medical_marijuana_advoca.html
WHYY: http://whyy.org/cms/news/government-politics/2010/06/04/delay-for-medical-pot-in-new-jersey/39595
NJN (public tv/radio): http://www.njn.net/television/webcast/njnnews/friday.html
NBC New York: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/NJs-New-Medical-Marijuana-Law-in-Limbo-95634059.html
More stories are trickling in so if you want, please check the CMMNJ blog periodically at: http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/
I also have a photo set on facebook, which can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=62462971150&ref=ts#!/album.php?aid=216869&id=687188618&ref=pb
Victory will be ours and the patients will get their medicine.
Best,
Diane
Friday, June 4, 2010
Trenton Rally - No Delay, It's Not Rocket Science
Jersey's New Medical Marijuana Law Still Hazy
By BRIAN THOMPSON
So far it's pass, pass, puff.
New Jersey's "Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act" was signed into law back in January, but cannot take effect until the Department of Health and Senior Services actually draws up the rules and regulations that will run the program.
And Governor Chris Christie's recent request to the Legislature for a six month to one year delay is not going over well with patients and advocates who helped shape the bill.
"We expect the law to be followed we expect the time line to be followed," said advocate Chris Goldstein, of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana -- New Jersey.
The original time line would have the proposed rules drawn up by August 1st, and patients lighting up by this Fall.
But that's not enough time for the Christie Administration.
"We are now going to become a distributor of a controlled substance," said Christie's Press Secretary Mike Drewniak in explaining why the Governor, who supports the law, wants more time.
Gusciora - No Delay or Let Patients Buy Legally Now
By Susan K. Livio/Statehouse Bureau
TRENTON —Chronically ill patients who qualify under New Jersey’s new medical marijuana law should be allowed to buy the drug on their own while Gov. Chris Christie and lawmakers haggle over when the state run-program should begin, the law’s sponsor said today.
Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), said Vermont, Rhode Island, Maryland and other states gave patients this freedom when they legalized marijuana for medicinal use.
“Certainly we can create this window where we allow them to obtain it on their own,” Gusciora said. “It could helps alleviate a lot of suffering.”
Gusciora suggested the idea during a Statehouse demonstration today over Christie’s request to miss the anticipated July deadline to announce rules outlining how the program will work.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Medical Marijuana press conference in Trenton on 6/4
MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 1, 2010The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ)
www.cmmnj.org
NORML-NJ
www.normlnj.org
Medical Marijuana press conference in Trenton on 6/4
Patients, professionals seek timely regulations
On Friday June 4, 2010 at 1PM local medical marijuana advocacy groups will hold a press conference at the State House in Trenton. Potential medical marijuana patients, doctors, nurses and supporters of the new law will address recent news of a proposed delay for implementing the program.
The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was voted and signed in law in January 2010. As passed, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) was to issue draft regulations in July and patients were anticipating access to a running program by the fall.
Last week a request was made for an additional 6 months to 1 year before the draft medical marijuana program regulations are issued. The extension would require legislation.
CMMNJ and NORML-NJ do not see any need for a delay.
Ken Wolski a registered nurse and Executive Director of CMMNJ said, “If the DHSS cannot write these regulations in 6 months, there is no guarantee they will be able to write them in 18 months. Patients are suffering as they continue to wait for the program.”
Anne M. Davis, Executive Director of NORML-NJ said, “This is a law and there are no exceptions. There are patients with chronic or even terminal illnesses that cannot get an extension on life.”
The 6/4/10 press conference will feature brief statements along with a Q&A. A full list of participants will be released on Thursday June 3, 2010.
CMMNJ and NORML-NJ are addressing two main points:
- Timely implementation of the medical marijuana law
- A request that those in the Christie Administration meet with New Jersey’s local medical cannabis experts and advocates to discuss the law
Media may contact:
Ken Wolski ohamkrw@aol.com 609 394 2137
Anne Davis: law@annemdavis.com 732 477 4700
Chris Goldstein: media@cmmnj.org
WHAT: Medical marijuana press conference
WHERE: Trenton, NJ – State House – State Street entrance steps
WHEN: June 4, 2010 at 1:00PM
WHY: Timely implementation of the medical marijuana law