Patients to protest 2-year delay of medical marijuana law in Trenton, 1/18/12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Patients to protest Gov. Christie’s failure to implement medical marijuana law

WHO: Medical marijuana patients, families and advocates

WHAT: Press Conference to protest this administration’s failure to implement the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act for two full years after it was signed into law

WHEN: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 12:00 noon

WHERE: The State House steps, Trenton, NJ

WHY: The governor is unable or unwilling to protect seriously ill New Jersey patients who use marijuana with the recommendation of a licensed physician

Medical marijuana patients and advocates will protest Governor Chris Christie’s failure to implement New Jersey’s medical marijuana law at a Press Conference at the State House steps in Trenton, NJ on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 12:00 noon.

Governor Jon Corzine signed the “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act" into law on January 18, 2010. The bill was originally introduced in January, 2005 by Senator Nick Scutari. Still, not a single patient in this state has enjoyed the legal protection that this law was designed to provide.

The law removes the state-wide penalties for the possession and use of up to two ounces of marijuana a month when a New Jersey licensed physician recommends it for one of the qualifying medical conditions. Qualifying medical conditions include cancer, AIDS, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma, seizures, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, intractable muscle spasticity and any terminal illness. Patients are issued ID cards and obtain marijuana from Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) in a program that is monitored, controlled and overseen by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

As of January 18, 2012, two full years after the bill became a law, not a single patient ID card has yet been issued. Not a single ATC is open. Not a single legal marijuana plant is yet growing in the state. Worse, legitimate patients in New Jersey continue to be arrested, prosecuted and face long prison terms for using marijuana for their serious medical conditions. Ken Wolski, RN, executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. (CMMNJ) said, “Not only is the Christie administration unable or unwilling to implement this law, but there is no effort by this administration to mitigate the legal consequences of those patients who are being terribly penalized by this inaction.”

CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, provides education about the benefits medical marijuana.

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