Monthly Public Meeting Agenda
Lawrence Township Library, Room #3
Tuesday, July 10, 2012; 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM
7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. Approve June 2012 minutes. Discuss:
New Jersey Assembly passes A1465, a bill to Decriminalize Possession of 15 grams of Marijuana on 6/25/12. In the NJ Senate, Sen. Scutari introduces S1977 to decriminalize 50 grams of marijuana. Gov. Christie vows to veto the legislation when it gets to his desk.
ATC update: Camden Zoning Board sued over medical marijuana rejection. Montclair ATC reportedly growing marijuana. Egg Harbor Township ATC to start growing this summer? Update on lawsuit on behalf of a NJ medical patient who would qualify for cannabis access.
New Hampshire governor John Lynch vetoed medical marijuana bill SB 409 on 6/21/12 after the bill passed both houses of the legislature.
NJ Medical Marijuana current court cases:
Eric Hafner, on-going Middletown, NJ case.
Colleen Begley’s case in Burlington Co.
Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion: hung jury on distribution charge. Freed awaiting retrial.
John Wilson released to Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) after about 4 months in prison--gagged from discussing medical marijuana. ACLU contacted.
Upcoming events: NORML NJ meeting, 7 pm, July 9 at the Ale House, New Brunswick, NJ.
July 4th SSDP Day of Action (see below). Aug. 2, Slightly Stoopid Tour, Holmdel, NJ.
Treasury report: Checking: $2754; PayPal: $3353.
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
Lawrence Library
June 12, 2012
7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. May 2012 minutes approved. Discussion:
ATC update: Montclair ATC reportedly growing marijuana. No other ATC has permit to grow—“they face more hurdles than a track meet.” No update on lawsuit filed on 4/4/12 by NORML NJ attorneys on behalf of a NJ medical patient who would qualify for cannabis access. The State may have requested a delay.
New Jersey Moves to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession: A1465 passes Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously on 5/21/12. CMMNJ supporters testify at hearing.
Connecticut became the 17th Medical Marijuana State on June 1, 2012.
Vanessa Waltz met with Congressman Holt on 6/5/12 re: ongoing federal obstruction of marijuana research for cancer patients research and for veterans with PTSD. Larry Vargo represented CMMNJ at the Million Marijuana March, May 19 in Philadelphia.
NJ Medical Marijuana current court cases: Eric Hafner, on-going Middletown, NJ case.
Colleen Begley’s case in Burlington Co. with Mark Claudy—trial may start December 4.
Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion; hung jury on distribution charge. Freed awaiting retrial.
John Wilson released to Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) after about 4 months in prison.
Forbidden by the State to discuss medical marijuana while in ISP. ACLU to be contacted.
Chris Goldstein resigned from the CMMNJ Board on 6/8/12. We are sorry to lose him. Vanessa Waltz and Larry Vargo joined CMMNJ’s Advisory Board pending full Board status.
Upcoming events: NORML NJ meeting, 7 pm, June 11 at the Ale House, New Brunswick, NJ.
July 4th SSDP Day of Action. Aug. 2, Slightly Stoopid Tour, Holmdel, NJ.
Treasury report: Checking: $2647; 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:
Egg Harbor Township medical marijuana facility could begin growing plants this summer
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/eht/egg-harbor-township-medical-marijuana-facility-could-begin-growing-plants/article_c7075690-bb24-11e1-8079-0019bb2963f4.html
Building owner sues Camden over its rejection of his medical-marijuana application
http://articles.philly.com/2012-06-29/news/32457932_1_zoning-board-zoning-officer-marijuana-dispensaries
No link between medical marijuana outlets and crime, new study finds
http://www.healthcanal.com/substance-abuse/29973-link-between-medical-marijuana-outlets-and-crime-new-study-finds.html
Decriminalization:
NJ Assembly passes bill easing pot punishments
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57460511/nj-assembly-passes-bill-easing-pot-punishments/
NJ Assembly passes bill easing pot punishments
http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/NJ-Assembly-passes-bill-easing-pot-punishments-3660426.php
Christie says he'd veto pot decriminalization bill
http://www.njherald.com/story/18859696/christie-says-hed-veto-pot-decriminalization-bill
Gov. Chris Christie says he'll veto bill to decriminalize marijuana
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/gov_chris_christie_says_hell_v.html
Marijuana and NJ Gov. Chris Christie: Perfect together?
http://www.trentonian.com/article/20120626/OPINION03/120629779/marijuana-and-nj-gov-chris-christie-perfect-together&pager=full_story
Will New Jersey Legalize Marijuana? [AUDIO/POLL]
http://nj1015.com/will-new-jersey-make-legalize-marijuana-chris-christie-says-no-audio/
‘The Daily Show’ Calls Out Gov. Christie Over Differing Stances On Gambling And Marijuana
http://www.theweedblog.com/the-daily-show-calls-out-gov-christie-over-differing-stances-on-gambling-and-marijuana/
Dr. Jeffrey S. Pollack / Meaningful marijuana reform would be socially positive
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/commentary/dr-jeffrey-s-pollack-meaningful-marijuana-reform-would-be-socially/article_d3e45a2a-9a0f-5dd9-ab3b-2fc3d1b97a80.html
Angelini: Decriminalizing Marijuana Sends Wrong Message
http://rumson.patch.com/articles/angelini-decriminalizing-marijuana-sends-wrong-message
JD: Jersey struggles over legalizing pot
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/jd-jersey-struggles-over-legalizing-pot/article_f318adbe-5f1b-5e44-b8bd-0be1c6d6647c.html
It's Time for a Veto Proof Majority
http://www.normlnj.org//blog/uncategorized/2012-06-26/its-time-for-a-veto-proof-majority/
Extra:
Time: 10 Reasons to Revisit Marijuana Policy Now
http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/14/10-reasons-to-revisit-marijuana-policy-now/?iid=hl-main-lede#all
The Silver Tour: Teaching Seniors the Benefits of Medical Marijuana
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=nw8pmmjab&v=001FxA2hImTfo3mt0eAUHuMVuhwagwiRvRW5evLNHVuNWdsQTk2TPqJg6xhd0hgnE-dIEQCWwdbFsazHnLU2wXEwDGYPYPwrpB86HCF9IIE52Y%3D
NH Gov. John Lynch Vetoes Popular Medical Marijuana Bill
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/2012-election/nh-gov-john-lynch-vetoes-popular-medical-marijuana-bill#
CT: Legal Marijuana: No Market Until 2013; Tight Restrictions Assured
http://www.courant.com/business/hc-medical-marijuana-regulations-20120627,0,488826.story
Americans Support Ending Federal Crackdown on Medical Marijuana
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/05/17/americans-support-ending-federal-crackdown-on-medical-marijuana
Marijuana Decriminalization: Efforts To Relax Pot Rules Gaining Momentum In U.S.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/10/marijuana-decriminalizati_n_1584739.html
The Anti-Science Streak in Federal Marijuana Policy
http://www.smoke-in.org/mj/?q=node%2F1223
Symbolic drug-law reform
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/07/symbolic_drug-law_reform.html
SSDP’s Fourth of July Day of Action:
I'm here to give you more details about exactly what you can do to make the Fourth of July Day of Action campaign as effective as possible. You are in a great area for making change happen, so your participation will be especially valuable.
New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District is represented by Republican Representative Chris Smith. He voted "No" on the Rohrabacher-Hinchey-McClintock-Farr Act, demonstrating his support for continuing raids against medical marijuana dispensaries.
Five New Jersey Congressional Republicans voted “No”: LoBiondo, Runyan, Smith, Lance, and
Frelinghysen. (Roll Call is available at: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll238.xml )
You may be able to find events where they may show up on July 4th by searching on Google.
Alternatively, below are the Twitter accounts for Republican Representative Jon Runyan and Republican Representative Frank LoBiondo, who may also be in your area on July 4th and voted "No" on the Farr amendment. These accounts could provide information about where the Representatives will be on Independence Day, as they may be somewhere else other than the above event, so you should check this account in the days leading up to and including July 4th.
http://twitter.com/#!/repjonrunyan /http://twitter.com/#!/runyan2012 (NJ 3)
http://twitter.com/#!/replobiondo/ (NJ 2)
(Ken Wolski) has flyers for Representative Runyan to share with others. Remember that your overarching goal is to find him (or any of the others) and get him on camera with his response to why he opposes the use of medical marijuana. The purpose of the flyers is to educate others and potentially influence them to record him on record as well.
A great quote to pull is from Michele Leonhart, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, who recently said in a congressional questioning session that the use of medical marijuana is between a patient and his doctor. One question you could ask is, "Michele Leonhart, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, recently stated that the decision to use medical marijuana is between a patient and his doctor. If this is the case, and a patient's doctor recommends the use of marijuana for a debilitating illness, why do you oppose this?"
If you have any questions or need help of any sort, feel free to respond here or call me.
Thanks again!
Justin Kander, Intern
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
1317 F Street NW, Suite 501 Washington DC 20004
(202)-393-5280 www.SchoolsNotPrisons.com
Cell: 410-967-1832
Skype: justin.kander
June 25, 2012
Dear Governor Christie,
I am a cancer patient who would qualify for medical marijuana under New Jersey’s Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. However, as you know, this program has not yet been implemented. So if I use marijuana to help alleviate my chronic pain, I am considered a criminal. This simply does not make sense to me.
I do not like to use the narcotic painkillers and sleep aids prescribed legally by my doctors. These drugs have terrible side effects, prevent me from being able to work at my home-based business, and present a real threat of chemical dependency.
I am glad that you have spoken out against incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders, but I am not a person who needs drug counseling or treatment for marijuana use. I am simply a responsible adult who wishes to use a natural herb to treat my painful symptoms rather than highly addictive and dangerous narcotics.
I watched from the gallery today as the New Jersey Legislature voted 44-30 to decriminalize possession of a small amount of marijuana. Knowing that you have stated you would veto a decriminalization bill, I was very disappointed that this measure didn’t pass with a veto-proof majority. I am deeply saddened not only for myself, but for the other patients in our state who are suffering.
You, the Governor of our great state, have the power to help people like me. You have the choice to remove the risk of arrest and incarceration for patients who do not want to be criminals. Please reconsider your position and help to bring compassionate relief to so many in the great state of New Jersey.
I truly hope that the aide or intern who opens this letter decides to show it to you, and that you take the time to read it and consider that many of your constituents are in the same position as I am. We don’t want to be criminals, we don’t need drug counseling, and we just want our medicine.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Waltz
Princeton, NJ
