CMMNJ August 10, 2010 Meeting Agenda

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda
Lawrence Twp. Library (Mercer County) Room #3
Tuesday, August 10, 2010; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. Approve June 2010 minutes. Discuss:

On 7/23/10, Rutgers University declined the request from the Christie administration to be the sole producer of NJ’s medical marijuana. Doing so might jeopardize millions in federal funding, the dean of the biological school said. See CMMNJ’s press releases and media comments.

In June, Christie signed a 90-day delay in implementing the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. This law does not need any more delays or trial balloons. The DHSS will tightly regulate the ATCs. Highly qualified private citizens are ready to take on the risks in order to serve patients. The medical marijuana law should be implemented as it is written without further delay. Strategy session. Funding for media blitz? Faces of ATC operators?

Pardon update on MS patient John Wilson who’s appealing a 5-yr. medical marijuana sentence.

Upcoming CMMNJ events: Dingbatz club in Clifton, NJ, 7/31/10, 8pm–12 MN; Rittenhouse Square Concert Series 8/6, 8/13 & 8/20; Stakeholders Meeting with ASA’s Steph Sherer 8/21 10-4PM at the NJ State Museum Auditorium, Trenton; $20 admission; NORML conference, Portland, OR 9/9-11. Boston Freedom Rally 9/18. NJ League of Municipalities conference, Atlantic City 11/15-18/10. Volunteers needed for all events.

Treasury report: Checking: $4,370.50; PayPal: $1975.89. Tax-deductible donations to CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity may be made through Paypal on our web site, or send a check made out to “CMMNJ” to the address below. Get a free t-shirt for a donation above $15—specify size.

CMMNJ’s scheduled meetings are the second Tuesday of each 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.
219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618
609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com www.cmmnj.org




Monthly Public Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, July 13 2010; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Lawrence Twp. Library, Mercer County, NJ

7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. June 2010 minutes approved. Discussion:

The NJ Senate and Assembly approved a 90-day delay in implementing the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2010. CMMNJ held a rally & press conference to oppose the delay on 6/17 in Jersey City. More amendments to come? See NBC coverage of the issue. Send a pre-written letter to your NJ legislator today opposing the R.U./NJCTH plan and any more changes to the law. CMMNJ received a reply from DHSS & Chris spoke with Dr. Walsh from DHSS today re: NJCTH getting access while CMMNJ is denied access. CMMNJ’s supporters are asked to tell NJ state officials to implement the law as written. Diane Forrnbacher is coordinating Patients Advisory Group. Svet Milic, Peter Rosenfeld & Frank Fulbrook are coordinating the ATC Advisory Board. CMMNJ Board mtng. to be scheduled.

Report from Jahan Marcu, a cannabinoid researcher from Temple U. School of Medicine re: THC eliminating cancer tumors.

Upcoming CMMNJ events: Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, 7/31/10, 8pm–12 MN; Rittenhouse Square Concert Series 8/11, 8/18 & 8/25, 7 – 9 PM each night; Stakeholders Meeting with ASA’s Steph Sherer 8/21 10-4PM at the NJ State Museum Auditorium, Trenton; NJ League of Municipalities conference, Atlantic City, 11/15-18/10.

Treasury report: Checking: $4,387.71; PayPal: $2,017.43.

CMMNJ’s scheduled meetings are the second Tuesday of each 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
219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618 (609) 394-2137

New Jersey will host Medical Marijuana Stakeholders Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7/29/2010
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey CMMNJ
www.cmmnj.org

CONTACT: Ken Wolski or Chris Goldstein at 609 394 2137 or media@cmmnj.org



New Jersey will host Medical Marijuana Stakeholders Meeting

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) is proud to announce that on August 21, 2010 a Medical Marijuana Stakeholders Meeting will be held in conjunction with the national patient advocacy organization Americans for Safe Access (ASA).

This unique event will take place in Trenton, NJ at the New Jersey State Museum Auditorium on Saturday, August 21 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

Medical marijuana patients, their families, advocates, potential Alternative Treatment Center owners, and health care professionals should attend the meeting.

Steph Sherer, Executive Director of ASA, will be the featured presenter at the Stakeholders Meeting. Steph is an international leader and expert in medical cannabis advocacy who aids in drafting legislation and advises governments around the globe. She has been a guest lecturer at University of California, Berkeley and George Washington University, DC.

CMMNJ has worked with ASA as a resource throughout the medical marijuana legislative effort in New Jersey. Now that the Garden State has passed a compassionate use law it is vital for local advocates to learn from seasoned experts how to proceed forward. New Jersey’s medical cannabis patients and volunteers can also be an important part of the national discussion about safe access.

ASA has ambitious national, regional and local Goals and Objectives for providing medical marijuana to patients. The Stakeholders Meeting will look at the following topics:

1. Creating the political playing field necessary to pass federal, state, and local legislation.
2. Implementing medical cannabis laws with methods that meet the needs of patients.
3. Passing meaningful legislation that creates safe and legal access in additional states.

Jahan Marcu, a cannabinoid researcher from Temple University School of Medicine will present as Vice-Chair of ASA's Medical Advisory Board.

Also presenting on the status and details of New Jersey’s medical marijuana law will be CMMNJ’s Executive Director Ken Wolski RN and the group’s media spokesperson Chris Goldstein. Additional speakers will be announced.

The cost to attend the all-day conference is $20.

There is limited seating. To secure a place at this important meeting:
- Send a check made out to "CMMNJ" 219 Woodside Ave, Trenton, NJ 08618

- Or, pay through PayPal at www.cmmnj.org make sure to put “Stakeholders Meeting” in the note

A benefit dinner with CMMNJ’s volunteers, Board members and ASA’s Steph Sherer will also take place on Friday night, 8/20/10 at 7:00 PM for $100.00. A separate payment is required for dinner reservations.

Media passes are available and a brief press conference will be held.

About ASA
Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA has over 30,000 active members with chapters and affiliates in more than 40 states. ASA protects the rights of cannabis patients.

Recent ASA Accomplishments:

Federal Policy on Medical Marijuana Turns Corner - Justice Department tells prosecutors to respect state law. The Justice Department told U.S. Attorneys that they should not expend resources prosecuting medical cannabis patients and their caregivers in states that have adopted laws allowing medical use.

ASA Works with US Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) to introduce the Truth In Trails Act, HR 3939, with 28 co-sponsors to allow medical defense in some federal marijuana trials by recognizing state medical cannabis laws.

Federal Agency Solicits Proposals for Cannabis Cultivation - Just seven months after the DEA again rejected a judge's recommendation that a university be granted a license to grow research cannabis, a federal "Request for Proposals" was issued for the production and distribution of cannabis.

Two Milestones reached by Dr. Sunil Aggarawal of the University of Washington, member of the ASA Medical & Scientific Advisory Board member:
- The American Medical Association affirmed the medical benefits of marijuana and urged further research, reversing its 72 year old position that marijuana be retained as a Schedule I substance with no medical value.
- Review of 79 clinical studies finds marijuana a safe, effective medicine - found that "nearly all of the 33 published controlled clinical trials conducted in the United States have shown significant and measurable benefits..."

CONTACT: Ken Wolski or Chris Goldstein at 609 394 2137

Americans for Safe Access online: www.safeaccessnow.org

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

NJ medical marijuana law should move forward as written

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 7/27/2010
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey CMMNJ
www.cmmnj.org

CONTACT: Ken Wolski or Chris Goldstein 609 394 2137 media@cmmnj.org

NJ medical marijuana law should move forward as written

Recent expert analyses of Governor Christie’s medical marijuana proposals have now matched concerns expressed by local medical marijuana advocates.

Last week Rutgers University declined to risk their federal funding to be granted monopoly production rights over the state’s medical cannabis. Such hurdles were first pointed out by CMMNJ when the concept was floated in June.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20100724_Rutgers_just_says_no_to_pot_growing.html

On Sunday, Kate Greenwood, a Seton Hall University School of Law research Fellow wrote an OPED to the Bergen Record that closed the door on prospects for New Jersey’s Teaching Hospitals to be the only dispensers of medical marijuana. The group had lobbied for the plan to help fund their training programs through the sale of medical cannabis.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/marijuana_072510.html

Now, the compassionate use law should be back on track to be implemented as written. This would require the Department of Health and Senior Services to issues rules and regulations in the fall. A registry for patients must be created along with guidelines for the six Alternative Treatment Centers.

Ken Wolski, Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey said, "Private citizens stand ready to offer their expertise and take on the necessary risks in order to serve patients. The medical marijuana law should be implemented as it is written without further delay. "

The Legislature recently granted a 90-day extension to the Christie Administration to put the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act into practice. A 6-12 month delay was originally requested. Without further amendments the law is now scheduled to go into effect October 1, 2010 with full implementation currently mandated by January 2011.

Patients have been speaking with their health care professionals with positive results. Potential ATC operators have been gathering their resources and waiting for DHSS regulations. Advocacy groups will be intensifying efforts to educate the public and physicians about cannabis therapy.

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana holds monthly public meetings on the second Tuesday of each month that have seen greatly increased attendance.

CMMNJ's next meeting will be August 10, 2010 at the Lawrence Township Public Library at 7:00PM.

CMMNJ can offer local medical marijuana experts and potential patients for comment.

CONTACT: Ken Wolski or Chris Goldstein 609 394 2137 media@cmmnj.org

More about medical marijuana in New Jersey at www.cmmnj.org

NJ residents are contacting legislators: http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2010/06/supporters-contact-your-legislators.html

Read the full text of NJ's medical marijuana law http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/307_.HTM

Patients need no more delays or trial balloons; implement the medical marijuana law as written

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey (CMMNJ) fought the delay in implementing the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act and kept the focus on patients. Governor Christie and his administration requested a 6 – 12 month delay. But with the support of the lead sponsor of the bill, Senator Nicholas Scutari, (D-Linden) the legislature agreed to just a 90-day delay. Governor Christie’s spokesman said more time was needed to implement the law correctly.

The Governor’s appointee to Commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), Dr. Poonam Alaigh, expressed support for medical marijuana that was wholehearted and unquestioned. Unfortunately, Dr. Alaigh also expressed some fears about cannabis. In an appearance on NJN, Dr. Alaigh feared that New Jersey would devolve into the “wild, wild West of California” where marijuana dispensaries outnumber Starbucks coffee shops. But according to New Jersey’s law, only six (6) Alternative Treatment Centers will initially be permitted to open. The DHSS will grant licenses to these dispensaries, and it has the power to revoke these licenses. The DHSS has the power to monitor, oversee and investigate all activities of these Centers, including the prices that are charged to patients. It is difficult to imagine the basis for the fear of an uncontrolled proliferation of dispensaries in the state, since the DHSS has absolute control over when, and if, additional Centers may open.

A more disturbing development to medical marijuana advocates was the proposal floated by the Christie administration to allow only Rutgers University and the New Jersey Council of Teaching Hospitals to be the sole producer and distributor of medical marijuana in the state. Advocates were certain that this proposal would only delay, perhaps indefinitely, realistic patient access to medical marijuana in New Jersey.

Gov. Christie’s proposal was unworkable for the following reasons:
1. Rutgers University and the Council of Teaching Hospitals would undoubtedly seek approval from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, and the DEA will never grant that approval. The DEA does not recognize medical marijuana.
2. University and medical center employees would be at risk for federal prosecution and federal subsidies to these institutions would be jeopardized.
3. The head of Rutgers Agricultural School has gone on record as saying that his school is not interested in producing any cash crop, let alone marijuana.
4. Hospitals are not prepared to be marijuana dispensaries. They would have to hire more staff and expand facilities.
5. The proposal appears to corrupt the open, competitive bidding process by steering the state contracts for medical marijuana services to entities favored by highly placed political figures.
6. The law would have to be amended for these changes to be approved, and any amendment will only result in further delays. Every 90 days, 25% of the state’s hospice patients die. These otherwise qualified patients are dying without the relief that marijuana can bring them.

On Friday, July 23, 2010, Rutgers University declined the request from the Christie administration to be the sole producer of New Jersey’s medical marijuana crop. Doing so might jeopardize millions of dollars in federal funding, the dean of the biological school said.

This law does not need any more delays or trial balloons. The state health department will tightly regulate the Alternative Treatment Centers provided for in the law. Highly qualified private citizens stand ready to offer their expertise and take on the risk in order to serve patients. The medical marijuana law should be implemented as it is written without further delay.

Patients, experts look at future of New Jersey's medical marijuana law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey CMMNJ
www.cmmnj.org

CONTACT: Ken Wolski 609 394 2137 ohamkrw@aol.com

Patients and experts look at future of New Jersey's medical marijuana law

Yesterday the Associated Press reported that Senator Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) endorsed plans to fundamentally change the language of The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. Scutari originally sponsored the law in 2005.

This puts the issue of sick and dying patients gaining legal access to medical marijuana back to the very beginning of the legislative process.

Proposals for Rutgers University to produce all of the cannabis and have it distributed through teaching hospitals originated from Governor Christie’s office.

CMMNJ executive director Ken Wolski RN said, “Rutgers can always apply to become one of the growers if they are truly committed to serving patients, but don’t let them hold up the whole program.”

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey’s Board of Directors, the patients in our group and our thousands of supporters around the state firmly oppose any entity being granted a monopoly on production of medical marijuana or distribution to qualified patients.

Peter Rosenfeld is a potential patient on the CMMNJ Board of Directors. He said that the recent proposals are ignoring many aspects of the medical marijuana program that should have been considered by the Christie administration leading up to the regulatory process.

Rosenfeld explained, “In addition to delaying the enactment of the bill indefinitely, this proposal does not address the cost of medicine to patients. Unlike other states with large numbers of working patients, under the New Jersey law restrictions a large percentage of the qualifying patients are disabled and living on very restricted incomes. These patients cannot afford the high medical marijuana prices that would result from this single player concept."

New Jersey's law had drawn on the experience of successful medical marijuana programs in other states.

Rosenfeld added, "The bill as passed allows initially for six Alternative treatment Centers. The Department of Health and Senior Services can select ATC plans that will offer medicine at low cost to patients while maintaining strict compliance to state law. This will also allow multiple approaches to be tried to see which works out best.”

CMMNJ contends that if the intent of Governor Christie and New Jersey’s legislators is to actually to help suffering patients and not simply delay this program that they consider some constructive modifications from local experts:

1) Increase the unreasonable and unsupportable monthly restriction from 2 ounces per month or less to amounts necessary to help an individual patient as determined by the their physician. The legislature should not be naming and arbitrarily limiting dosages.

2) Insure that the State allows as many treatment centers operating to ensure that patients do not have to travel far for their medicine.

3) Mandate that the NJ DHSS fix a low price for cannabis distributed to authorized patients; most are on small fixed disability income or not able to work.

4) Include afflictions in the law such as Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and dozens of conditions where research has shown them to be ameliorated by the use of marijuana.

5) Guarantee patient job protection by making the treatment of cannabis therapy in the workplace the same as for any other medicine. Some patients can only function effectively after consuming marijuana and deserve to be gainfully employed while finding relief Testing positive should be eliminated as a cause for dismissal unless there is a documented affect on one’s work and they are a registered medical marijuana patient.

6) Rutgers or any other state-affiliated agency being allowed to grow or distribute marijuana should be in addition to the use of private Alternative Treatment Centers.

7) The authorization of any additional state involvement should not delay the already delayed start past January.

8) In keeping with the Governor’s pledge to cut red tape, there should be expeditious, minimally intrusive registration for patients, caregivers and ATCs. The Lieutenant Governor should intervene in any medical marijuana program matter – just as for anyone else in the private sector concerned about delay caused by the bureaucracy.

Since the law passed in January, CMMNJ has been contacted by groups of New Jersey residents with the expertise necessary to bring medical cannabis to patients safely and effectively. These private citizens fully understand and are willing to take on the risks associated with ongoing federal prohibition.

Ed Hannaman has been working on legal medical marijuana access in New Jersey since 2002 and serves on the CMMNJ Board of Directors. Hannaman said, “How many more years does Christie expect patients to suffer while he experiments with unworkable plans? New Jersey properly enacted a fully reasonable plan that has already been delayed. These attempts to change the law would deliberately inflict greater suffering on patients who have already desperately waited five years for this program. ”

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey is planning a stakeholders meeting this August with the national group Americans for Safe Access. CMMNJ will be working to help increase education and intensify efforts to bring an effective medical cannabis program online as soon as possible.

CONTACT: Ken Wolski 609 394 2137 ohamkrw@aol.com

Plan for medical marijuana at hospitals called "pie in the sky"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ)
www.cmmnj.org

CONTACT: Ken Wolski RN 609 394 2137 ohamkrw@aol.com or Chris Goldstein media@cmmnj.org

Plan for medical marijuana at hospitals called "pie in the sky"

Last month the New Jersey Legislature delayed medical marijuana access and floated a new concept for the program: Rutgers University could be named as the sole source for all medical cannabis cultivation and the marijuana would be distributed only by hospitals.

The full presentation from the New Jersey Council of Teaching Hospitals (NJCTH) was reported in the Newark Star-Ledger today.

CMMNJ’s Chris Goldstein spoke via phone Friday with NJCTH President J. Richard Goldstein (no relation). He said that NJCTH was invited for what were described as informational discussions in Trenton and not to draft language for the law, calling the medical marijuana proposal “pie in the sky.”

NJCTH’s Goldstein explained, “This is not a full plan. This was just an initial conversation with some key players. The Christie Administration just ran with it.”

Governor Chris Christie’s staff and some legislators have been speaking frequently with the media about the proposals. Patients could access marijuana at hospitals, to be sure, and Rutgers University certainly has the capability of farming medical cannabis. But their Boards of Directors and retained attorneys would be hard pressed to take on the one thing that private businesses already do: Risk.

New Jersey hospitals and Rutgers University have not fully examined their federal liabilities. None of those entities have committed themselves to putting their assets on the line for sick and dying patients. They are not alone; not a single hospital or university in the US currently engages in the production or distribution of state regulated medical marijuana.*

Thirteen states have medical marijuana programs running where private non-profit or for-profit business owners take on the tremendous risk presented by ongoing federal prohibition. Any one of several authorities could seize their properties and assets at any given moment. The owners and employees of medical cannabis businesses also take on the risk of personally losing their freedom through federal arrest.

There do exist groups of private citizens ready to get New Jersey ’s program running.

New Jersey’s medical cannabis patient advocacy groups and others groups interested in offering information about the medical marijuana program have not been afforded the same opportunities to meet with “key players” that Rutgers the NJCTH have enjoyed.

Form letters sent from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services claimed that state officials were considering no proposals from any group.

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act currently calls for the initial licensing of six, private Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) around the state.

Patients can only gain legal protections by purchasing marijuana from an authorized ATC.

The NJ Department of Health and Senior Services is currently scheduled to begin the regulatory process in October and bring the medical cannabis program online starting in January 2011.

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey is intensifying efforts to educate the public and legislators about the ways to best serve the patients who qualify under the law.

Ken Wolski RN, executive director of CMMNJ, said, "The proposal to monopolize New Jersey's medical marijuana program to provide a funding source for training new doctors in the state represents a betrayal of the very patients that the law was designed to protect and serve."

A cannabinoid researcher from Temple University will address the CMMNJ monthly public meeting which will be held on July 13, 2010 at the Lawrence Township (Mercer Co.) Public Library from 7 - 9 pm.

CONTACT: Ken Wolski RN 609 394 2137 ohamkrw@aol.com or Chris Goldstein media@cmmnj.org

* The University of Mississippi hosts the only DEA licensed marijuana cultivation facility. The single strain of cannabis is distributed to four federal medical marijuana patients. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) also oversees the federal marijuana. It is used for research on a very limited basis.

CMMNJ July 13th Meeting Agenda

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda
Lawrence Twp. Library (Mercer County) Room #3
Tuesday, July 13, 2010; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. Approve June 2010 minutes. Discuss:

NJ Senate and Assembly approved a 90-day delay in implementing the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, which was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2010. CMMNJ held a rally & press conference to oppose the delay on 6/17 in Jersey City. More amendments to come? See NBC coverage of the issue. Send a pre-written letter to your NJ legislator today opposing any more changes to the law. CMMNJ received a reply from DHSS.

Report from Jahan Marcu, a cannabinoid researcher from Temple U. School of Medicine.

Cures Not Wars press conference at Manhattan City Hall steps, Thurs., 7/8, from 10-11 AM.

Upcoming CMMNJ events: MS Patients Support Group in Livingston, NJ, 7/12/10 @ 7 pm; Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, 7/31/10, 8pm–12 MN; Rittenhouse Square Concert Series 8/6, 8/13 & 8/20; Stakeholders Meeting with ASA’s Steph Sherer 8/21 10-4PM; NJ League of Municipalities, 11/15-18/10. Volunteers needed for upcoming events.

Treasury report: Checking: $4,387.71; PayPal: $2,017.43. Tax-deductible donations to CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity may be made through Paypal on our web site, or send a check made out to “CMMNJ” to the address below. Get a free t-shirt for a donation above $15—specify size. (100 new t-shirts received--$700; 500 magnets ordered--$170.)

CMMNJ’s scheduled meetings are the second Tuesday of each 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
219 Woodside Ave.
Trenton, NJ 08618
(609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com



Monthly Public Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 8 2010; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Lawrence Twp. Library, Mercer County, NJ

7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. May 2010 minutes approved. Discussion:

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act is scheduled to take effect in July 2010. Gov. Christie asks for 6 – 12 month delay. CMMNJ held a press conference June 4, 2010 on the State House steps in Trenton to say “no” to the delay. Chris Goldstein gave a review of the media coverage. CMMNJ’s supporters are asked to tell NJ state officials to implement the law as written. Contact Governor Christie: http://www.nj.gov/governor/contact/ Contact DHSS Commissioner Alaigh: http://www.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/dhss/contact/contact.pl?page=marijuana CMMNJ is sending another letter to DHSS.

NORML will be asked to provide a Capwiz letter to send to legislators. (Request to have a Roll Call of legislative supporters on web site.) Steve C. detailed how he suffers from Crohn’s Disease without access to marijuana while paying exorbitant prices for less effective pharmaceuticals. Several LTE’s already published. Diane Forrnbacher is coordinating Patients Advisory Group. Svet Milic, Peter Rosenfeld & Frank Fulbrook are coordinating the ATC Advisory Board.

Events: New Jersey State Nurses Assn. “Medical Marijuana Breakfast” was postponed.
Excellent front page article in the May/June 2010 edition of The American Nurse, “Exploring the science of medical marijuana.” Report of successful Gay Pride Parade on 6/6/10 in Asbury Park.

Upcoming CMMNJ events:; Jersey City Press Conference, 6/17/10 at City Hall, 1:00 PM; Southern Shore Music Festival, 6/19/10, Bridgeton, NJ, noon to 8 PM; Project Freedom Wellness Fair, Lawrence Twp., 6/22/10 3 pm to 7 pm; MS Patients Support Group in Livingston, NJ, 7/12/10 @ 7 pm; Dingbatz in Clifton, NJ, 7/31/10, 8pm–12 MN; NJ League of Municipalities, Atlantic City, 11/15-18/10. Board to discuss Rittenhouse Sq. Concert series.

Treasury report: Checking: $2,789.79; PayPal: $2640.34. More magnets & t-shirts ordered.

CMMNJ’s scheduled meetings are the second Tuesday of each 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, 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618 (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com www.cmmnj.org



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more info, contact: Ken @ (609) 394-2137

Medical Marijuana Press Conference in Jersey City on 6/17
WHO: New Jersey medical marijuana advocacy groups
WHAT: Will hold a press conference
WHEN: Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 1 PM
WHERE: Jersey City, NJ – In front of City Hall – 280 Grove Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
WHY: Timely implementation of New Jersey’s medical marijuana law; local ATC guidelines
City officials work on guidelines; patients, professionals and advocates 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 (RN) and executive director of CMMNJ said, “If the Health Department can’t write these regulations in 6 months, there’s no guarantee they will be able to write them in 18 months. Patients are suffering as they continue to wait for this 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 law.

Media may contact:
Ken Wolski: ohamkrw@aol.com (609) 394-2137
Anne Davis: law@annemdavis.com (732) 77-700
Chris Goldstein: media@cmmnj.org
Christie administration seeks to delay the New Jersey medical marijuana law




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more info, contact: Ken @ (609) 394-2137

WHO: Governor Chris Christie’s administration
WHAT: Wants to delay the New Jersey Medical Marijuana law for up to one year
WHEN: May 27, 2010
WHERE: Trenton, NJ
WHY: The logistics involved are too complex for the NJ Department of Health

A proposal by Governor Christie’s administration seeks to delay the implementation of the “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act" by up to one year. The request for a 6-12 month delay was first reported this week in the NJ Spotlight. New Jersey became the 14th US state to legalize medical marijuana on January 18, 2010. The law is scheduled to take effect in July. The bill, originally introduced in 2005 by Senator Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden), saw broad bi-partisan support when it eventually passed. It was reported that senior staff in Governor Christie's office asked for the delay because they feared the complexities of developing a business model for medical cannabis distribution. Ken Wolski, RN, Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. (CMMNJ) said, “There must be no delay in implementing this law. Patients are suffering now, and to tell them they must continue to suffer for another year because of the bureaucrats in Trenton is unacceptable.”

Advocates noted that with any delay to the program many terminally ill patients would not live to find relief with legal medical marijuana. Hospice and Palliative Care networks are some of the strongest supporters of the medical cannabis law. Wolski continued, “Marijuana is recognized as medicine in New Jersey and patients deserve timely access to it. The recent trial and conviction of MS patient John Wilson in Somerville amply proves that patients desperately need regulated access to marijuana that is legal in the eyes of police, prosecutors, judges and juries around the state.”

The new law removes penalties for the possession, and use of marijuana when a New Jersey licensed physician recommends it for one of the qualifying medical conditions. These conditions include cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, etc. Patients will be issued ID cards in a program run by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). The marijuana will be obtained from Alternative Treatment Centers that will be licensed and regulated by the state. Of the 14 medical marijuana states, only the Garden State currently prohibits patients from cultivating their own medical marijuana in the safety of their homes.

Wolski noted that in a February 2010 letter to DHSS Director Joe Eldridge, CMMNJ offered free, expert advice in the development of regulations to implement the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana law. Thus far, DHSS has not requested any information from CMMNJ. CMMNJ was formed in 2003, incorporated in New Jersey and is recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the federal government. CMMNJ is the only statewide organization solely dedicated to providing education and information about safe and legal access to medical marijuana, and it has closely followed the law’s evolution and patients’ concerns. CMMNJ’s Board of Directors includes health care professionals, attorneys and potential patients with over 50 years of combined experience directly related to medical marijuana. CMMNJ is uniquely qualified to assist in developing effective regulations for New Jersey. Patients and advocates
at CMMNJ welcome a dialogue with DHSS and the Christie Administration to discuss the best plan to implement the law.

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA, Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc.
219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618
609.394.2137 www.cmmnj.org ohamkrw@aol.com


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 residents who may qualify for medical marijuana are available for comment

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 *
*New Jersey residents who may qualify for medical marijuana are available for comment

The next CMMNJ public meeting takes place Tuesday July 13th at the Lawrence Township Library at 7:00PM
www.cmmnj.org