Wednesday, June 4, 2014

House votes to end war on medical marijuana



June 4, 2014 at 3:36pm
WHO:     U.S. House of Representatives
WHAT:   Voted to stop funding the war on states with medical marijuana programs
WHEN:   May 30, 2014
WHERE: U.S. Congress, Washington, D.C.
WHY:      To respect the traditional right of states to determine the practice of medicine 

In the U.S. Congress last week the House of Representatives voted to stop funding the federal war on medical marijuana programs.  Jay Lassiter, a participant in New Jersey’s Medicinal Marijuana Program said, “I’m happy to see this vote play out in Congress. It's a long-overdue discussion.”

Since 1996, twenty one states and the District of Columbia have passed medical marijuana laws.  The federal government, however, considers marijuana a Schedule I substance with no accepted medical uses.  The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has ruled that the federal government is within its powers to enforce its laws against marijuana even in states that have medical marijuana programs.  At the same time, the SCOTUS has not invalidated any of the medical marijuana laws, and has said that physicians cannot be penalized for recommending marijuana for their patients.

On Friday, May 30 the House voted 219-189 in favor of the Rorhabacher-Farr Amendment to the government’s appropriations bill.  This amendment prohibits the use of funds to the Justice Department, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), if those funds “prevent certain States from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.”  The vote saw more support from Democrats than from Republicans as 170 Democrats and 49 Republicans voted yes, while 17 Democrats and 172 Republicans voted no on the amendment.  New Jersey’s representatives voted as follows:
Democrats – Holt, Y; Pallone, Y; Pascrell, Y; Payne, Y; Sires, Y.
Republicans – Frelinghuysen, N; Garrett, Y; Lance, N; LoBiondo, Y; Runyan, Y; Smith, N.

Now the measure must go to the U.S. Senate.  While the Senate is controlled by Democrats, no measure to protect medical marijuana patients or programs has yet been introduced in the Senate.  If and when the measure passes in the Senate, it will have to be signed into law by President Obama.

For more information, see: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/113-2014/h258

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

Jay Lassiter, Lassiter Consulting, http://www.jlassiter.com/  Cell - 856.236.7199

Monday, June 2, 2014

CMMNJ Monthly Public Meeting Agenda for 6/10/14



Lawrence Twp. Library, Rm. #3
Tues., June 10, 2014, 7PM - 9PM 

Approve May 2014 minutes. Discuss:

Voter guide from ACLU NJ for NJ’s primary election in the 12th Congressional District:
https://www.aclu-nj.org/files/8614/0146/9042/CD12_Chart.pdf

House of Representatives votes to defund federal war on medical marijuana. NEW JERSEY 8 Yes votes; 3 No Votes: Dems – Holt, Y; Pallone, Y; Pascrell, Y; Payne, Y; Sires, Y. Reps – Frelinghuysen, N; Garrett, Y; Lance, N; LoBiondo, Y; Runyan, Y; Smith, N.

Growing support for Sen. Nick Scutari’s marijuana legalization legislation, S1896, and Assembly companion bill, A3094, sponsored by Asw. Linda Stender and Asm. Reed Gusciora.

Upcoming Events: Lancaster Cannabis Reform Rally, 6/7/14, Penn's Square, Lancaster, PA.
PA Medical Marijuana Bill, SB 1182, Hearing & Press Conference, 6/10/14, Harrisburg, PA
Central NORML NJ meeting, 6/9/14 at 7pm at Joe’s Mill Hill Saloon, Trenton, NJ
Taping of the CMMNJ TV Show, 6/24/14, all morning, Princeton TV Studio, Princeton, NJ

Recent events: Peter Lamont’s blogtalkradio Episode 52 with Ken Wolski, 5/22/14.
Patients Out of Time Conference, May 8 – 10, Portland, Oregon with certification course given by American Cannabis Nurses Assn.
“Ignorance is No Excuse” tour distributes the MMP A.G. guidelines to local P.D.’s.
Decarceration panel and demonstration, 5/2/14, New Brunswick, NJ.

Treasury report: Checking: $4014; PayPal: $3616.

CMMNJ's 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 Mercer County’s endorsement of our issue.)
More info:  Ken Wolski, RN, (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com
http://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 
May 13, 2014

Growing support for Sen. Nick Scutari’s marijuana legalization legislation, S1896, and Assembly companion bill, A3094, sponsored by Asw. Linda Stender and Asm. Reed Gusciora: NJ State Prosecutor’s Assn. (150 state prosecutors) endorse legalization of marijuana!
ACLU NJ calls for legalization, taxation and regulation of marijuana as a top priority.
Gallup Poll from 10/13 show 58% of Americans support marijuana legalization.

Nick proposes using Princeton TV Station’s new studio on Nassau St. for a CMMNJ TV show. Nick to see about using Princeton TV station for medical marijuana info.

Poll on change.org to allow NJ adults to have access to edibles has almost 500 signatures:
http://www.ladybud.com/2014/04/22/new-jersey-change-org-petition-to-allow-edible-marijuana/

Daniel Price asks A.C. casinos where patients can use medical marijuana.

Proposal to have regional CMMNJ meetings—Board to discuss.

Cannabis Chronicles at:
http://funatfun.com/category/cannabis-chronicles/

“Ignorance is No Excuse” tour of NJ police departments with Lefty and Chuck document their attempt to find areas to safely medicate in NJ and
distribute the A.G. guidelines to local P.D.’s.

Upcoming Events: Patients Out of Time Conference, May 8 – 10, Portland, Oregon with certification course given by American Cannabis Nurses Assn.
Sparta, NJ protest in support of Scott Waselik, 5/16/14 at 8 am.

Recent events: 
Radio interview with Peter Lamont: Marijuana in the Garden State with Ken Wolski, 3/31/14.
Sentencing of Chris Goldstein & Don DeZarn 3/26 in federal court for marijuana possession--2 years supervised probation, $3000 fine, and both banned from Independence Hall National Park.

Treasury report: Checking: $3959; PayPal: $3882.

More info:  Ken Wolski, RN, (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com
http://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:

US House Bans Feds From Policing Medical Marijuana States
http://www.hightimes.com/read/us-house-bans-feds-policing-medical-marijuana-states

State By State Breakdown of How the US House of Representatives Voted for Medical Marijuana
http://www.thedailychronic.net/2014/32840/state-by-state-breakdown-of-how-the-us-house-of-representatives-voted-for-medical-marijuana/

House votes to restrict DEA marijuana raids
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/house-votes-restrict-dea-marijuana-raids

Ingle: Legal pot has Christie fired up
http://www.app.com/story/opinion/columnists/2014/05/29/ingle-legal-pot-christie-fired/9738631/

Parents of Epileptic Children Nationwide Ask AG Holder to Reschedule Marijuana
http://www.thedailychronic.net/2014/32718/parents-of-epileptic-children-nationwide-ask-ag-holder-to-reschedule-marijuana/

Peter Lamont’s blogtalkradio Episode 52 with Ken Wolski, 5/22/14.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/understandingthelaw/2014/05/22/episode-52-special-guest-ken-wolski

Where do the 12th Congressional District Candidates Stand on Civil Rights and Liberties Issues?   https://www.aclu-nj.org/files/8614/0146/9042/CD12_Chart.pdf

Keystone Cannabis Reform
http://www.gofundme.com/2atmdg

New Jersey Medical Marijuana Program: Don’t Leave Wounded Vets Behind
http://www.ladybud.com/2014/05/26/new-jersey-medical-marijuana-program-dont-leave-wounded-vets-behind/

Mike Whiter, Veteran Talks PTSD w/ NA Poe [Scrapple Interviews]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQyvAM4OOCo&list=UUnCSxNqqMBCtQsniANr_xeg

Relief of medical marijuana off-limits at N.J. hospitals
http://www.northjersey.com/news/relief-of-medical-marijuana-off-limits-at-n-j-hospitals-1.1022114?fb_action_ids=10152128661213657&fb_action_types=og.comments&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582#sthash.bvyUuNO7.dpuf

Battle Over Medical Marijuana Pits State-vs-Federal Government
http://www.my9nj.com/story/25598235/battle-over-medical-marijuana-pits-state-vs-federal-government?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=10194334

The Record: Medical pot haze
http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-editorials/medical-pot-haze-1.1022836

Medical Marijuana Not Permitted in Hospitals
http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/medical-marijuana-not-permitted-in-hospitals/

New TV Ad Urges New York Gov. Cuomo to Support Medical Marijuana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHq9XwpSbNo&feature=youtu.be

Pushing Back Against Pushing Back Against Marijuana
http://www.ladybud.com/2014/05/28/kevin-sabet-pushes-back-against-marijuana-legalization/

Memorial to Reform Activists
http://www.equalrights4all.org/memoriam.htm

NJ medical marijuana patients light up to support Sparta man
http://www.nj.com/sussex-county/index.ssf/2014/05/nj_medical_marijuana_patients_light_up_to_support_sparta_man.html#incart_river

Medical Marijuana Supporters to Gather at Sparta Municipal Building
http://thealternativepress.com/articles/medical-marijuana-supporters-to-gather-at-sparta

Atlantic City resident has cannabis conundrum for casinos
http://www.nbc40.net/story/25495251/atlantic-city-resident-has-cannabis-conundrum-for-casinos?fb_action_ids=10152108910618657&fb_action_types=og.comments&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

Patron wants Revel to clarify when, where he can use medical marijuana
http://m.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/atlantic-city_pleasantville_brigantine/patron-wants-revel-to-clarify-when-where-he-can-use/article_c2db56f6-da31-11e3-95a5-001a4bcf887a.html?mode=jqm

Few patients so far for marijuana dispensary
http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/apexchange/2014/05/10/nj--member-exchange-medical-marijuana-dispensary.html

We call for the passage of a NJ Decarceration Act to deliver large scale reductions in NJ’s state adult and youth prison populations.
https://www.change.org/petitions/nj-state-senate-and-assembly-we-call-for-the-passage-of-a-nj-decarceration-act-to-deliver-large-scale-reductions-in-nj-s-state-adult-and-youth-prison-populations

Patients Out of Time Conference, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8hdLwFwWgY

Mathre: The ECS System Part 1, Education
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2CJlUoh-bw&list=PL0CsY39bcm1RyOZeWktI20NllsH1yB8pg

Medical cannabis: Be informed and challenge the myths
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2014/06/medical-cannabis-informed-challenge-myths.html

How Colorado has gone to pot
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-colorado-has-gone-to-pot/

Poll on change.org to allow NJ adults to have access to edibles
http://www.change.org/petitions/chris-christie-allow-edibles-for-patients-of-all-ages

NJ's medical marijuana program lacks compassion: Letter
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/05/njs_medical_marijuana_program_lacks_compassion_letter.html

Demonizing marijuana doesn’t serve public
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/opinion/readers/2014/05/16/pot-reform/9180181/

Medical marijuana seen to have dramatic effect on symptom relief
http://articles.philly.com/2014-05-05/news/49611703_1_dispensary-patients-compassionate-care-foundation

Marijuana provides the only seizure relief for my daughter: Opinion
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/05/marijuana_provides_the_only_seizure_relief_for_my_daughter_opinion.html