CMMNJ April 2012 Agenda & March Minutes

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda

Lawrence Township Library, Room #3

Tuesday, April 10, 2012; 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. Approve March 2012 minutes. Discuss:

Medicinal Marijuana Program & ATC update:

Egg Harbor ATC receive permit as expected?

Montclair ATC facing more hurdles?

DHSS release list of registered physicians as promised?

Judiciary Committee approves SCR89 (Resolution to Free John Wilson), but measure falls one vote short in full Senate vote on 3/15/12.

Update of ongoing efforts to educate congressmen in D.C re: medical marijuana trial for veterans with PTSD. See also Facebook page: Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access

NJ Medical Marijuana current court cases (see below media coverage):

Eric Hafner, on-going Middletown, NJ case.

Rally for Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion, Burlington Co. Court, Mt Holly, April 10, 2012 @ 8 am.

Colleen Begley’s case also in Burlco.

Upcoming events: 4/20 Strike—no buying anything, all day.

NORML NJ meeting at 7 pm on the 2nd Monday of each month, Joe’s, Trenton.

Seventh National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, 4/26-28/12, Tucson, AZ.

Treasury report: Checking: $2753; PayPal: $3339.

CMMNJ meetings are the second Tuesday of each month from 7 - 9 PM at the Lawrence Twp. Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Twp., Tel. #609.882.9246. All are welcome. Snacks are served. (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

March 13, 2012

7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. February 2012 minutes approved. Discussion:

Reviewed events of National Medical Marijuana Week, 2/12-18 (phone calls to White House and Congress); Rally at Trenton Federal Bldg., 2/16/12 followed by CMMNJ testimony at Senate Judiciary Committee on SCR 89 (Free John Wilson); SCR 89 released to full Senate.

Letter from John Wilson in state prison read at meeting. John is grateful “for continued support.” He thinks he will be in prison at least a year before he is eligible for a program. He is at minimum security Jones Farm and says it is “not so bad…pretty stress free. My health is OK at this time with only minimal symptoms.” He sends his greetings to all and says he “can’t thank them enough.” (His mother reports he received a dose of Avonex, an MS medication.) Write to John at: John Wilson 716024B, Jones Farm, P.O. Box 7100, West Trenton, NJ 08628

Camden Zoning Board rejected Compassionate Sciences ATC, 6 – 0, on 3/5/12. Update from Frank Fulbrook: Camden says ATC “not a good fit.”

Adam Levy from Compassionate Care Foundation said his ATC is OK in Egg Harbor. Adam expects to receive a DHSS permit to open on 4/1/12, and to have medical marijuana available to patients in NJ by October 2012.

Eric Hafner rally 3/12/12 at Middletown Court. See: http://wobm.com/rally-raises-awareness-for-medical-marijuana-use-for-ptsd/

Recent events: CMMNJ Board meeting, 3/3/2; Nick Mellis joined CMMNJ Board. Metuchen MS Self-Help Group lecture and discussion, 2/21/12.

Upcoming events: Rally to support Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion at Burlington Co. Court, Mt. Holly, April 10, 2012.

4/20 Strike—no buying.

NORML NJ meeting at 7 pm on the 2nd Monday of each month, Joe’s, Trenton.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Trenton, 3/17/12.

Seventh National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, 4/26-28/12, Tucson, AZ.

Treasury report: Checking: $2965; PayPal: $3339.

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

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Alternative Treatment Centers:

No justifiable need to delay medical marijuana in New Jersey, 3/23/12

http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2012/03/no_justifiable_need_to_delay_m.html

Medical marijuana boss: Gov. Christie's pot program delay is sabotage, 3/23/12

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/medicial_marijuana_boss_gov_ch.html

Tangle with state delays opening of Montclair medical marijuana dispensary, 3/27/12

http://www.northjersey.com/news/business/144467815_Tangle_with_state_delays_Montclair_becoming__medical_marijuana_capital_of_New_Jersey_.html

One NJ Medical Marijuana Provider Ready To Give Up On Much-Delayed Program

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2012/03/23/one-nj-medical-marijuana-provider-ready-to-give-up-on-much-delayed-program/

Christie says he can’t force municipalities to take medical marijuana treatment facilities

http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2012/03/christie-says-he-cant-force.html

Developers of marijuana center stress openness, 3/14/12

http://www.shorenewstoday.com/snt/news/index.php/egg-harbor-twp/eht-general-news/22362-developers-of-marijuana-center-stress-openness.html

Plumsted opens possibility for medical marijuana site 3/15/12

http://exa.gmnews.com/news/2012-03-15/Front_Page/Plumsted_opens_possibility_for_medical_marijuana_s.html

Corporation Aims to Co-Opt Medical Marijuana, Make Billions

http://www.tokeofthetown.com/2012/02/corporation_aims_to_co-opt_medical_marijuana_make.php

Medical Marijuana Court Cases:

Open Letter to Monmouth County Prosecutor on Behalf of Eric Hafner

http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2012/03/open-letter-to-monmouth-county.html

Middletown court case postponed for man claiming medical marijuana use 3/27/12

http://www.app.com/article/20120327/NJNEWS/303280022/Middletown-court-delays-medical-marijuana-case

Drug suspect plans medical marijuana defense in Middletown 3/12/12

http://www.app.com/article/20120312/NJNEWS/303120044?fb_comment_id=fbc_10150731950384245_23093750_10150732897984245

Pot Protester Must Wait For Day In Court, 3/16/12

http://trtnj.com/news/pot-protest-middletown-medical-marijuana/

Don't criminalize patient for using medical marijuana, 3/21/12

http://www.app.com/article/20120322/NJOPINION02/303220006

Keep Medical Marijuana Patient Eric Hafner Out Of Jail, 3/19/12

http://www.theweedblog.com/medical-marijuana-patient-needs-your-help-in-new-jersey/

Drop Charges Against Medical Marijuana Patient 3/18/12

http://www.ahherald.com/opinion-mainmenu-30/letters-to-the-editor/12795-drop-charges-against-medical-marijuana-patient

Rallying for Medical Marijuana Use, 3/12/12

http://middletown-nj.patch.com/articles/hafner-rallies-for-medical-marijuana-use

Senate to Vote On John Ray Wilson Resolution This Thursday

http://www.elizabethinsideout.tv/2012/03/14/senate-to-vote-on-john-ray-wilson-resolution-this-thursday/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Christie Thinks The Jersey MS “Pot Guy” Should Remain Behind Bars [AUDIO]

http://nj1015.com/john-ray-wilson-should-be-in-jail-christie-says/

NJ Gov Chris Christie Plays Medical Marijuana Doctor on Radio

http://www.freedomisgreen.com/nj-gov-chris-christie-plays-medical-marijuana-doctor-on-radio/

NJ Senate fails to act on resolution seeking commutation for man convicted of growing marijuana, 3/15/12

http://www.northjersey.com/news/NJ_Senate_fails_to_act_on_resolution_seeking_commutation_fo

r_man_convicted_of_growing_marijuana__.html?page=all

It's high time Christie started to care, 3/12/12

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&id=35193:12tornoe

NJWeedman Hits The Road In Weedmobil For Filming Of Documentary, Asks For Donations, 3/25/12

http://www.ballerstatus.com/2012/03/25/njweedman-hits-the-road-in-weedmobil-for-filming-of-documentary-asks-for-donations/

YouTube: MedCanCupLA 2012 – Ed Forchion on current court case

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZcp5pr1_Cc&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Research:

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Vol. 41, Issue 4, Pgs. 768-778, April 2011:

Is There a Legitimate Role for the Therapeutic Use of Cannabinoids for Symptom Management in Chronic Kidney Disease?

http://www.jpsmjournal.com/article/S0885-3924(10)00979-6/fulltext

Open Letter to Monmouth County Prosecutor on Behalf of Eric Hafner

219 Woodside Ave.

Trenton, NJ 08618

March 19, 2012

Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw, Jr.

Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office

132 Jerseyville Avenue

Freehold, N.J. 07728

Re: Eric Hafner, D.O.B. 5/16/1991

Dear Prosecutor Warshaw:

Eric Hafner is a 20-year old man who is currently a California resident. Mr. Hafner suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He has a valid recommendation to use marijuana for this condition from Dr. William Eidelman, a licensed California physician. Unfortunately, Mr. Hafner was arrested recently in New Jersey for using marijuana as medicine and he faces trial in Middletown Township, NJ.

In January 2008, Mr. Hafner was under the medical care of a different physician who prescribed the anti-anxiety drug Xanax for him. Two months later, the physician doubled the dosage of Xanax in an unsuccessful attempt to control the painful symptoms of PTSD that Mr. Hafner was experiencing. Not only was this pharmacologic intervention unsuccessful, but it left Mr. Hafner with an intolerable adverse effect, i.e., inability to function. Mr. Hafner understandably abandoned this treatment and researched alternative treatment modalities. His research led him to medical marijuana. He found marijuana to be most effective in treating the symptoms of his PTSD, with none of the adverse effects of the prescribed medication.

Marijuana has long been recognized as being useful in the treatment of chronic pain, nausea associated with chemotherapy, the wasting syndrome of AIDS, and the increased intraocular pressure of glaucoma. Less well known is marijuana’s safety and efficacy for a wide range of mental and emotional conditions, including PTSD.

Currently 16 states and the District of Columbia have removed the penalties for the possession and use of varying amounts of marijuana when a physician recommends it. In fact, New Jersey passed into law the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act in January 2010. However, New Jersey’s Medicinal Marijuana Program is still months away from operating. New Jersey has the most restrictive medical marijuana law in the nation, so it is not surprising that PTSD is not yet considered a qualifying condition here. The state health department (DHSS) is empowered by the legislation to add qualifying conditions to its program at any time. However, the DHSS has chosen to wait a minimum of two years before it will even consider adding qualifying conditions like PTSD. Whether PTSD is a qualifying condition here is really a moot point--not a single patient in New Jersey has yet received the legal protection that the law was supposed to convey.

The use of marijuana as medicine has broad support among both health care professionals and the general public. Some 80 state and national health care organizations, including the American College of Physicians, the American Nurses Association, and the American Public Health Association support immediate, legal patient access to medical marijuana. Nearly half of all doctors with opinions support legalizing marijuana as a medicine according to a survey conducted for the American Society of Addiction Medicine. A recent survey by the Eagleton Institute showed that 86% of New Jersey voters support the legalization of marijuana for medical purposes. A number of the states and foreign countries that allow medical marijuana specifically allow it for PTSD.

Basic compassion and common sense demand that we allow seriously ill patients, like Mr. Hafner, to use whatever medication provides safe and effective relief. It would be a terrible wrong to punish Mr. Hafner--or any medical marijuana user--for seeking relief from a painful and difficult-to-treat medical condition. In Mr. Hafner’s case, it is a medical condition that is frequently associated with suicide.

Thank you for your compassionate consideration of this matter.

Sincerely yours,

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA

Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org

609.394.2137 ohamkrw@aol.com

See: "Cannabis Eases Post Traumatic Stress” By Tod Mikuriya, MD, published in O'Shaughnessy's, spring 2006, available at: http://www.mikuriya.com/cw_ptsd.html

The federal government’s obstruction of marijuana research for PTSD is noted at:

http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2011/11/ptsd-marijuana-study-for-veterans.html

Recent international conferences on medical marijuana sponsored by Patients Out of Time, are available at: http://www.medicalcannabis.com/about.htm

For a compilation of recent research on medical marijuana see:

http://norml.org/library/recent-research-on-medical-marijuana

CMMNJ March 13, 2012 Meeting Agenda

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda

Lawrence Township Library, Room #3

Tuesday, March 13, 2012; 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. Approve February 2012 minutes. Discuss:

National Medical Marijuana Week, 2/12-18 (phone calls to White House and Congress); Rally at Trenton Federal Bldg., 2/16/12 at noon; at 1 pm, SCR 89 (Free John Wilson) released by Senate Judiciary Committee after testimony.

Jim Miller’s update of his ongoing efforts to educate congressmen in D.C re: medical marijuana trial for veterans with PTSD. See also Facebook page: Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access

Camden Zoning Board rejected ATC application, 6 – 0, on 3/5/12. Update from Frank Fulbrook.

Eric Hafner rally 3/12/12 @ 8 am Middletown Court. More info at: Medical Marijuana Rally Raises Awareness for PTSD Use: http://wobm.com/rally-raises-awareness-for-medical-marijuana-use-for-ptsd/

Recent events: CMMNJ Board meeting, 3/3/2; Nick Mellis joined CMMNJ Board. Metuchen MS Self-Help Group, 2/21/12.

Upcoming events: Rally to support Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion at Burlington Co. Court, Mt. Holly, April 10, 2012. 4/20 Strike—no buying. NORML NJ meeting at 7 pm on the 2nd Monday of each month, Joe’s, Trenton; St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Trenton, 3/17/12. Seventh National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, 4/26-28/12, Tucson, AZ.

Treasury report: Checking: $2965; PayPal: $3339.

CMMNJ meetings are the second Tuesday of each month from 7 - 9 PM at the Lawrence Twp. Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Twp., Tel. #609.882.9246. All are welcome. (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

February 14, 2012

7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. January 2012 minutes approved. Discussion:

January 18, 2012 Press Release and State House press conference. Great media coverage.

Plans made for National Medical Marijuana Week, 2/12-18; Rally at Trenton Federal Bldg., 2/16/12 at noon, followed by Senate Judiciary Hearing on SCR 89 (Free John Wilson) at 1 pm. Reassuring reply from NJ DOC MD re: Wilson’s appropriate treatment while in prison.

CO, RI, WA & VT Gov.’s petition the feds to reschedule marijuana. Encourage NJ to join.

CMMNJ supports FDA-approved study on marijuana for veterans with PTSD; stalled by NIDA. Jim Miller’s last trip to educate congressmen in D.C. See blog at CMMNJ.org. See also Facebook page: Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access

ATC hearing at Camden City Hall Zoning Board on Monday 2/6/12 at 5:30 pm; CMMNJ members testified, coordinated by Frank Fulbrook. Per Frank, decision to be made on 3/5/12.

Upcoming events: Eric Hafner rally 3/12/12 @ 8 am Middletown Court. Rally to support Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion at Burlington Co. Court, Mt Holly, 4/10/12. NORML NJ meeting at 7 pm on the 2nd Monday of each month, Joe’s, Trenton; St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Trenton, 3/17/12. Seventh National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, 4/26-28/12,

Tucson, AZ. CMMNJ Board meeting scheduled for March 3, 2012 at noon at Ken’s house. Metuchen MS Self-Help Group, 2/21/12 at 10 AM.

Treasury report: Checking: $2791; PayPal: $3046.

CMMNJ meetings are the second Tuesday of each month from 7 - 9 PM at the Lawrence Twp. Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Twp., Tel. #609.882.9246. All are welcome. (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

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Small towns - and small minds - reject medical marijuana sites

http://videos.nj.com/star-ledger/2012/02/small_towns_-_and_small_minds.html

Montclair: Foofy Dogs and Pot Dispensaries

http://www.baristanet.com/2012/02/montclair-foofy-dogs-and-pot-dispensaries/

Blurred Boundaries: The Therapeutics and Politics of Medical Marijuana

http://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(11)00021-8/fulltext

Medical Marijuana Activists Set to Destroy DEA Ruling

http://www.freedomisgreen.com/medical-marijuana-activists-set-to-destroy-dea-ruling/

With medical marijuana now legal in N.J., Gov. Christie should commute John Ray Wilson's sentence

http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2012/02/editorial_with_medical_marijua.html

Gov. Christie: No clemency for Somerset County man convicted of growing pot

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/03/gov_christie_no_clemency_for_s.html

New Jersey Medical Marijuana Sales Delayed

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/health/New_Jersey_Medical_Marijuana_Sales_Delayed_022712_New

sCore_ncx

NJ OKed Medical Pot in '10 —but It's Still Not for Sale

http://www.newser.com/story/140534/nj-oked-medical-pot-in-10-but-its-still-not-for-sale.html

Medical Marijuana Debate Lands on Jackson Township’s Door Steps

http://www.jacksonnjonline.com/2012/02/29/medical-marijuana-debate-lands-on-jackson-

townships-door-steps/31628/

BATC still looking for tract to grow medical marijuana

http://exa.gmnews.com/news/2012-03-08/Front_Page/BATC_still_looking_for_tract_to_grow_medical_marij.html

Camden rejects medical marijuana dispensary

http://articles.philly.com/2012-03-06/news/31127736_1_dispensaries-marijuana-operation-

zoning-board

Marijuana center: End the hysteria

http://www.app.com/article/20120303/NJOPINION01/303030012/Marijuana-center-End-hysteria?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7COpinion%7Cp

Gov. Christie out of line questioning diagnosis of Somerset County man convicted of growing

pot

http://blog.nj.com/njv_editorial_page/2012/03/gov_christie_out_of_line_quest.html

NJ Senate Committee Supports Medical Marijuana Patient

http://www.examiner.com/norml-in-philadelphia/nj-senate-committee-to-gov-christie-commute-medical-marijuana-sentence

News from the Senate Democrats:

LESNIAK-SCUTARI RESOLUTION URGING CLEMENCY FOR MS SUFFERER

CONVICTED ON MARIJUANA CHARGES ADVANCES

Senators Say Five-Year Sentence Amounts to

'Cruel and Unusual Punishment'

TRENTON – A resolution sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak and Nicholas P. Scutari which would urge Governor Christie to exercise executive clemency to commute the five-year prison sentence for John Ray Wilson, a multiple sclerosis (MS) sufferer who was convicted of marijuana manufacturing in an attempt to self-medicate for his disease was approved today by the Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 8-1 with two abstentions.

"It rises to the level of 'cruel and unusual' punishment to imprison a man who was only seeking some small measure of relief for his debilitating disease," said Senator Lesniak, D-Union, and a member of the Judiciary Committee. "In the case of John Ray Wilson, the court system is seeking to make an example of a man suffering from multiple sclerosis, who was seeking to self-medicate because he could not afford the high cost of prescription drugs. Rather than treat this man with the leniency and decency that basic fairness and human compassion would warrant, the courts decided to throw the book at him, and now it's up to Governor Christie to correct this injustice."

"Whether you agree or disagree with the provisions of the medical marijuana law, the particulars in the John Ray Wilson case are so extreme that you have to wonder what purpose is served by locking away a man suffering from multiple sclerosis for five years," said Senator Scutari, D-Union, Middlesex and Somerset, and the Chair of the Judiciary Committee.

"I would think that it would make more sense – given that medical marijuana is now legal in New Jersey – to commute John Ray Wilson's sentence, and get him access to the medications and health coverage he needs to control his symptoms. Instead, we're wasting taxpayer dollars to incarcerate a nonviolent offender who grew marijuana for personal use."

The resolution, SCR89, would urge the Governor to commute the sentence of John Ray Wilson.

The resolution notes that imprisonment for Mr. Wilson is an injustice, because he cultivated marijuana to treat his multiple sclerosis, was barred from presenting a personal use defense at trial or referencing his medical condition, and was convicted for the criminal manufacturing of marijuana, a crime which holds much higher penalties than other drug offenses on the books. The sponsors noted that the sentence is even more egregious considering that the State legalized the medicinal use of marijuana in 2010 with the "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act," a bill sponsored by Senator Scutari and co-sponsored by Senator Lesniak.

John Ray Wilson was convicted for the criminal manufacturing of marijuana – a crime usually reserved for drug cartels and large-scale pushers – in early 2010, just as the State's medical marijuana law was signed. In August of 2008, a National Guard helicopter conducting a "marijuana search mission" identified marijuana plants growing in Mr. Wilson's backyard in Somerset County. At the time of sentencing, Mr. Wilson asserted that he did not have health insurance and could not afford the cost of prescription medication, and was resorting to alternative treatments, including "bee venom therapy" and daily use of marijuana to control his disease.

The resolution now heads to the full Senate for consideration.

Christie says he can't force municipalities to take medical marijuana treatment facilities

According to The Star Ledger, 03/01/12:

"In a live interview with Steve Adubato, Gov. Chris Christie said that hold up on medical marijuana treatment centers are not a state issue. The local municipalities keep turning them away so the facilities can't be established and that is what is causing the delay in implementing the medical marijuana law in New Jersey."

(Christie says he can't force municipalities to take medical marijuana treatment facilities http://videos.nj.com/star-ledger/2012/03/christie_says_he_cant_force_mu.html )

It is completely disingenuous of Governor Christie to now say it is the fault of the local townships and municipalities in New Jersey that there are no Alternative Treatment Centers open to dispense medical marijuana to patients.

First of all, the state has never actually issued permits to any of these ATCs to open—over two full years after the bill became law. The state of New Jersey (read, Gov. Christie) has imposed one delay after another on this program. Now each employee and officer of every ATC has to undergo an incredibly detailed background check to make sure he or she is moral enough to dispense marijuana. Until that’s done, the ATC can’t even get started, even though the applications were supposedly approved by the state health department a year ago this month.

Secondly, the 100-plus pages of regulations drawn up to enact this law are a monument to unwieldy bureaucracy. These regulations guarantee that this program, if it ever gets working at all, will only dispense poor quality and limited selection marijuana to the fewest possible patients. Right now it is very close to that, distributing no marijuana to zero patients. (Not a single patient yet has an ID card.) Despite the overwhelming public outcry at these regulations, the inflexible Christie administration did not make a single change following the public comment period.

No, the buck stops at Mr. Christie on this one. He, and he alone, is responsible for the unconscionable delay in getting the Medicinal Marijuana Program started in New Jersey. He, and he alone, is responsible for tens of thousands of patients suffering needlessly and indefinitely in this state.

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA

Executive Director

Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org