CMMNJ April 9, 2013 Meeting Agenda & March Minutes

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda, Lawrence Township Library, Room #2
Tuesday, April 9, 2013; 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

7:00 PM:  Call meeting to order.   Approve March 2013 minutes.  Discuss:

CMMNJ’s Press Conference 3/21/13 in State House Annex very successful.  Media coverage throughout the state re: NJ’s Medicinal Marijuana Program.  DOH replies to advocates’ concerns.   CMMNJ’s next move?

The lawsuit against DOH for failure to implement the MMP is progressing; oral arguments expected in May.

Recent events: NORML Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, 3/16/13, U. of PA, Phila.—very successful.  MS Beef ‘n Beer, 3/23/13; CMMNJ was denied access to this event at the gate!

Upcoming Events: "Medical Marijuana Update: New Jersey's program, the law and the science," NJ Chapter of the Nat’l. Case Management Society, Woodbridge Hilton, 4/17/13, 6 pm (2 CEU’s will be awarded). “The Science of Marijuana” Ramapo College, 4/4/13 at 1 pm.  SSDP demonstration on 4/20/13 at Rowan U.

Joe Brown began work updating the CMMNJ web site on 3/14/13.

A765:  Authorized use of medical marijuana is equal to use of any other prescribed medication.

Treasury report: Current finances: Checking account: $4053; PayPal account: $3786.
Form 990-N e-filed with the IRS.  State of NJ Business filing done.

CMMNJ Billboard campaign on Facebook:
http://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/5w32/medical-marijuana-billboard-in-trenton

CMMNJ meetings are the second Tues. of each month, 7 - 9 PM at the Lawrence Twp. Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, 08648. (Meeting at the library does not imply endorsement of our issue.)

More info:  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 

Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/?fref=ts

CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is a non-profit educational organization.

Monthly Public Meeting Minutes
Lawrence Township Library, Tuesday, March 12, 2013; 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

10th Anniversary Meeting called to order at 7 pm.   January 2013 minutes were approved.

NJ’s Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP): Only Greenleaf ATC in Montclair, NJ is selling marijuana to registered patients who report 2 to 7 months wait for an appt. after receiving DOH ID card.  CMMNJ Press Conference is scheduled for 3/21/13 at noon in State House Annex.

Lymphoma patient Matt B. says he got his ID card in Oct. and finished chemo by Jan. with no medical marijuana.

The lawsuit against DOH for failure to implement the MMP—oral arguments expected in May.
Compassionate Care lawsuit against Camden Zoning Board--briefs to be filed in May and June.

More Upcoming Events: NORML Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, 3/16/13, U. of PA, Phila.; MS Beef ‘n Beer, 3/23/13; Phila.; "Medical Marijuana Update: New Jersey's program, the law and the science," NJ Chapter of the Nat’l. Case Management Society, Woodbridge Hilton, 4/17/13, 6 pm (2 CEU’s will be awarded). SSDP demonstration on 4/20/13 at Rowan U.

Recent events: CMMNJ’s 10th anniversary party/pot luck dinner was held at Peter Rosenfeld’s house on March 9, 2013.  Thanks to all who came and helped us celebrate and thanks to the CMMNJ Board for the beautiful plaque they gave me for my decade with CMMNJ.  CMMNJ Board conference call held on 2/12/13.  Americans for Safe Access “National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference” Feb. 22 – 25, 2013; Washington, D.C.

A765:  Authorized use of medical marijuana is equal to use of any other prescribed medication.

Treasury report: Current finances: Checking account: $3625; PayPal account: $3665.

CMMNJ meetings are the second Tues. of each month, 7 - 9 PM at the Lawrence Twp. Library More info:  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
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/?fref=ts

CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is a non-profit educational organization.

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

 “New Jersey’s Medicinal Marijuana Program Update”
New Jersey Nurse, April 2013, Vol. 43 No. 2, Page 13:
http://nursingald.com/uploads/publication/pdf/506/NJ4_13.pdf

Address Medical Marijuana Program’s Shortcomings
http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2013/03/address-medical-marijuana-programs.html

Opinion: Pot luck - Medicinal marijuana program plagued by needless delays
http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/marijuana_032913.html

Backers of Medical Marijuana Law in NJ Say Administration Still Foot-Dragging
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2013/03/21/backers-of-medical-marijuana-law-in-nj-say-administration-still-foot-dragging/

State aide says 5 of 6 N.J. pot dispensaries have "secured locations"
http://articles.philly.com/2013-03-23/news/37940277_1_dispensaries-greenleaf-compassion-center-medical-marijuana

Two-third of medical marijuana patients face a longer wait to buy pot
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/03/post_26.html

State House Press Conference
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151359084463657.1073741827.502598656&type=1

Patients need Christie to be a 'compassionate conservative' on medical marijuana
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local//item/52691-patients-need-christie-to-be-a-compassionate-conservative-on-medical-marijuana/

Slow medical pot rollout lacks compassion
http://www.app.com/article/20130323/NJCOLUMNIST06/303230082/Slow-medical-pot-rollout-lacks-compassion

Vanessa Waltz, Cancer Survivor, Talks about Governor Christie's Failure
http://www.bluejersey.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=22774

Health Care Professionals and Patients Call for Governor Christie to Obey the Law
http://www.bluejersey.com/diary/22771/health-care-professionals-and-patients-call-for-governor-christie-to-obey-the-law

A Physician Talks about his Frustration with Governor Christie's Stonewalling on Medical Marijuana
http://www.bluejersey.com/tag/Coalition%20for%20Medical%20Marijuana%20New%20Jersey

The Wait For Medical Pot Too Much For Some [AUDIO]
http://nj1015.com/the-wait-for-medical-pot-too-much-for-some-audio/?trackback=fbshare

Medical Marijuana Patients, Advocates Are Fed Up
http://nj1015.com/medical-marijuana-patients-advocates-are-fed-up/

Medical-Marijuana Supporters See Hurdles Mount for Patients
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/13/03/21/medical-marijuana-supporters-see-hurdles-mount-for-patients/

Patient advocates impatient for progress on N.J. medical marijuana centers
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/health-science/item/52583-patient-advocates-impatient-for-nj-medical-marijuana-centers

Christie obstructing medical marijuana effort
http://www.app.com/article/20130313/NJOPINION02/303130017/Christie-obstructing-medical-marijuana-effort?nclick_check=1

Gov. Christie: 'No crisis' because only one medical pot shop open
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/03/gov_christie_no_crisis_because.html

New Jersey Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Bill Advances
http://www.thedailychronic.net/2013/16068/new-jersey-medical-marijuana-patient-protection-bill-advances/

Editorial: Oversight or obstruction? N.J. sends mixed messages to state's lone medical marijuana center
http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2013/03/editorial_oversight_or_obstruc.html

Christie obstructing medical marijuana effort
http://www.app.com/article/20130313/NJOPINION02/303130017/Christie-obstructing-medical-marijuana-effort

Still waiting for the compassion in NJ marijuana law
http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20130325/OPINION02/303250021

Medical Marijuana Supporters See Hurdles Mount for Patients
http://teaneck.patch.com/articles/medical-marijuana-supporters-see-hurdles-mount-for-patients

Medical pot delays only causing pain
http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20130327/NJOPINION01/303270012/Medical-pot-delays-only-causing-pain
http://www.app.com/article/20130328/NJOPINION01/303280006/Medical-pot-delays-only-causing- pain

Medical marijuana elusive for those in need in S. Jersey
http://articles.philly.com/2013-04-01/news/38165562_1_dispensary-greenleaf-compassion-center-new-patients

The Science of Marijuana
 https://www.facebook.com/events/401768326588201/

North Jersey patients will be the focus of Montclair medical marijuana dispensary, owner says
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/03/new_jerseys_sole_medical_marij.html


Extra:

Every connection counts: Jim & Cheryl Miller
http://www.msconnection.org/Wall#ICreateAwareness/bac0697d-5da8-40b9-88f6-49b91bf2ea91

MS Society Refuses Medical Marijuana Information
http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2013/03/ms-society-refuses-medical-marijuana.html

Multiple Sclerosis, Medical Marijuana and Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0JgRzzEcbQ

New Jersey: Urge Your Representative to Co-Sponsor Industrial Hemp Legislation
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/51046/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9933

‘NJ Weedman’ gets nine months for violating probation
http://articles.philly.com/2013-03-13/news/37685356_1_medical-marijuana-drug-laws-ed-forchion-nj-weedman

Senator Daylin Leach Introduces Marijuana Legalization in PA (2013)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6yuZAEZ484

Medical Marijuana Billboard in Trenton
http://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/5w32/medical-marijuana-billboard-in-trenton

Rhode Island Marijuana Decriminalization Law Going Into Effect
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/29/rhode-island-marijuana_n_2980405.html

Maryland Medical Marijuana Gains Momentum
http://www.maryland-defense-lawyer.com/maryland-medical-marijuana-gains-momentum/

Cannabinoids May Help Cure Skin Diseases
http://www.examiner.com/article/cannabinoids-may-help-cure-skin-diseases

Rallying for Medical Marijuana Use
http://middletown-nj.patch.com/articles/hafner-rallies-for-medical-marijuana-use#poll_24464

Medical Marijuana Rally Raises Awareness For PTSD Use [AUDIO]
http://nj1015.com/medical-marijuana-rally-raises-awareness-for-ptsd-use-audio/

NY Times: Shuffleboard? Oh, Maybe Let’s Get High Instead
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/24/fashion/more-older-americans-use-marijuana.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&

NORML MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE
http://www.hailmaryjane.com/norml-mid-atlantic-regional-conference-2/

Philly420: Cannabis for St. Patrick's in Philly
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/Cannabis_for_St_Patricks_in_Philly.html

Per politickernj.com:
TRENTON - The state Health Department on Thursday issued the following statement following criticisms from medical marijuana advocates about what they claim is the slow pace of the program's implementation. The department says the implementation of other alternative treatment centers (ATCs) is in the works.

Here is the statement from Health Department's communications manager Daniel Emmer:

"Gov. Christie has taken a responsible approach to administering medical marijuana for qualified New Jersey residents. Following the opening of the first medical marijuana dispensary, the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget proposal doubles funding for the program with an increase of $823,000 for a total of $1.6 million.

"Just this week, the Department informed Compassionate Care Foundation in Egg Harbor Twp. that it has approved the participation of several key board members and as well as its financial structure. The next step is for them to tell the program when they are ready for an inspection of their facility in order to get a permit to grow. (see attached letter)

"A third ATC—Compassionate Care Center of America in Woodbridge is very far along in the process. An examination of its principals and finances is ongoing.

"Two other ATCs have secured locations and examinations of their key board members are ongoing

"With the exception of Greenleaf, all ATCs have had a difficult time securing host communities. Greenleaf Compassion Center began serving patients in early December and the Department continues to work with them to increase patient access.

"To address physician education on the medicinal marijuana, the Medicinal Marijuana program has partnered with the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners, the New Jersey Medical Society and the Drug Policy Alliance to provide informational webinars and an electronic library of scholarly articles and research materials.

"The (Health) Department is committed to ensuring ATCs are operated by responsible individuals who embrace our goals of timely safe and responsible access by patients."