CMMNJ December 2015 Agenda

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Township Library, Room #3
Tuesday, December 8, 2015, 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM 

Approve November 2015 minutes.  Discuss:

Historic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to legalize marijuana for adults in NJ, 11/16/15, with NJUMR Press Conference, and Die In at the State House, Trenton.

Gov. Christie signed A4587 on 11/9/15—Requires schools to permit medical marijuana use by qualifying patients.  Barbour lawsuit continues to have nurses administer it.

Upcoming Events: Jon Peditto sentencing 12/23, Toms River--faces 10 year minimum.
Obama: Fire DEA head for calling medical marijuana a joke--over 100,000 agree.
Food & clothing drive, "NJ Weedman's Joint" 322 E. State St., Trenton, until 12/19.

Recent events: “CMMNJ TV” taping 12/1/15 at Princeton Community TV Studio.
"Ethical Decisions & Medical Marijuana" TREC Conference, Burlco College, 11/10/15.
2015 Reform Conference, 11/18-21/15, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA.
Roland Ramos scheduling events in Newark galleries 11/12, 11/15 & 11/29.
Thursday Statehouse Podcasts--party marking suspension of regular podcasts 11/19.
Breakwater ATC opened in Cranbury, NJ on 10/15, making a total of 5 ATCs in NJ.
Legalization Resolution tabled by Trenton City Council on 11/5/15; Voorhees, Camden?

Treasury report: Checking: $2527; PayPal: $3626. Multicolored hemp bands from Romania--Suggested retail price: $3/apiece; 2 for $5.  Wholesale prices are available.

CMMNJ's meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7 - 9 PM at the Lawrence Twp. Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Twp., 08648. 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 
November 10, 2015 

Nov. 2015--CMMNJ celebrates 10 years of meeting at the Lawrence Library!

Gov. Christie signed A4587 on 11/9/15—Requires schools to permit medical marijuana use by qualifying patients.  Barbour lawsuit continues to have nurses administer it.

CMMNJ poll of legislators' opinion on marijuana reform--no replies.

Upcoming Events: This Veteran's Day, Don't Thank Us, HELP US!
Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to legalize marijuana for adults in NJ, 11/16.
2015 Reform Conference, 11/18-21/15, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA.
Roland Ramos scheduling events in Newark galleries 11/12, 11/15 & 11/29.
Thursday Statehouse Podcasts  11am-2pm: see Facebook “Friends of CMMNJ” or Sativa Cross for details. “Magic Butter Machine” raffled off monthly--retail value $200.
TREC Conference Burlington County Conference, 11/10/15.

Recent events: ACLU NJ Annual Meeting, Princeton, NJ 10/20/15.
Jon Peditto Guilty! Faces 10 year mandatory minimum 12/23; no mercy in Toms River.
Philadelphia Veterans Protest with Mike Whiter, Independence Hall, noon, 11/8/15.
Breakwater ATC opened in Cranbury, NJ on 10/15, making a total of 5 ATCs in NJ.
Bob Kane and the Irish legislature's support for harm reduction.
Paul Abramson, Mid-Atlantic rep of MJBA trade assn. gave an update on his company.
Trenton Resolution to legalize marijuana tabled by City Council on 11/5/15.
“CMMNJ TV” October taping cancelled--no guests.  December 1 taping scheduled.

Treasury report: Checking: $2506; PayPal: $3626. Multicolored hemp bands from Romania--Suggested retail price: $3/apiece; 2 for $5.  Wholesale prices are available.

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

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Mounting Pressure on DEA Head to Resign for Calling Medical Marijuana “A Joke”
http://www.thedailychronic.net/2015/50045/mounting-pressure-on-dea-head-to-resign-for-calling-medical-marijuana-a-joke/

Congressman Calls For DEA Chief's Removal After He Calls Medical Marijuana A 'Joke'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/earl-blumenauer-dea-chief_564ca653e4b06037734be861

Drug War Statistics
http://www.drugpolicy.org/drug-war-statistics

New Jersey Teen with Epilepsy and Autism Wins Right to Take Medical Marijuana at School
http://www.people.com/article/new-jersey-teen-genny-barbour-wins-fight-medical-marijuana-school

Marijuana Mercy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVzbgzGcSVE

Testimony to the NJ Senate Judiciary Committee in support of legalizing, taxing and regulating marijuana for adults
http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2015/11/testimony-to-nj-senate-judiciary.html

CMMNJ BY SativaCross.com 11/16 PART TWO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zosX9ezhR2M

Pro Cannabis Senator Won't Back Down from Battle with Chris Christie
https://www.civilized.life/new-jersey-senate-hearing-on-legalization-1462215467.html

Should N.J. legalize marijuana? See what top lawmakers say
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/should_nj_legalize_marijuana_top_lawmakers_are_split.html

Overheard at This Week’s Marijuana Hearing
http://politickernj.com/2015/11/overheard-at-this-weeks-marijuana-hearing/

NJ Lawmakers Consider Marijuana Legalization
http://www.njlawjournal.com/id=1202742569099/NJ-Lawmakers-Consider-Marijuana-Legalization?slreturn=20151027140418#ixzz3sENRdkWE

NJ Weedman’s Passing the Joint: Free all pot prisoners first
http://www.trentonian.com/opinion/20151119/nj-weedmans-passing-the-joint-free-all-pot-prisoners-first

Nov. 16, 2015: NJTV News (coverage--3 minutes worth--starts at the 11:15 mark)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN2Z25i4Kow

With Trenton hearing, legal pot movement goes mainstream
http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/new-jersey/2015/11/8583119/trenton-hearing-legal-pot-movement-goes-mainstream

BATTLE OVER LEGALIZING MARIJUANA TAKING SHAPE IN NEW JERSEY
http://6abc.com/news/battle-over-legalizing-marijuana-taking-shape-in-new-jersey/1087331/

Legalize recreational marijuana in N.J.? Supporters to pitch for it at hearing
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/marijuana_legalization_supporters_will_testify_at.html

CMMNJ TV: James Babb--Jury Nullification
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsiyrPtNwBc

BILL CARUSO/CHRIS GOLDSTEIN ON CMMNJ SATIVACROSS.COM PODDCAST
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/77529685/highlight/666923

Philly420: N.J. marijuana arrests increasing as senator eyes legalization
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/Philly420_NJ_marijuana_arrests_increasing_as_senator_eyes_legalization.html#WV6YuiJa2K4dvKGl.99

Cannabis Legalization Back on the Agenda at Senate Hearing
http://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/cannabis-legalization-back-on-the-agenda-at-senate-hearing/

The DEA has failed to eradicate marijuana. Now Congress wants it to stop trying.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/11/27/the-dea-has-failed-to-eradicate-marijuana-now-congress-wants-it-to-stop-trying/?postshare=4741448652492534&tid=ss_fb-bottom

STUDY: Medical Marijuana Is Safe Long-Term
http://growcompare.eu/study-medical-marijuana-is-safe-long-term/

STUDY: Marijuana Users 50% Less Likely To Develop Metabolic Syndrome
http://growcompare.eu/study-marijuana-users-50-percent-less-likely-to-develop-metabolic-syndrome/

Cannabis for the Treatment of Cancer
by Justin Kander
http://www.drugpolicy.org/sites/default/files/Cannabis_and_Cancer_ARblog_081115.pdf

Trudeau Gives Justice Minister Mandate To Legalize Cannabis
https://www.civilized.life/trudeau-gives-justice-minister-mandate-to-legalize-1453717497.html

CMMNJ BY SativaCross.com 11/19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMsaGbVW0Lk

LTE in the "New Jersey Monthly" December 2015 issue (not available online):

"NEXT EXIT: MARIJUANA"

In Steve Abudato’s column, “Heroin: An Uphill Battle” (November 2015) he neglects to mention another weapon in the battle against opioid overdose deaths—marijuana. The Journal of the American Medical Association noted in 2014 that, "States with medical cannabis laws had a 24.8 percent lower mean annual opioid overdose mortality rate compared with states without medical cannabis laws."* (New Jersey’s anemic medical marijuana program was not included in the survey.)

Far from being a “gateway” drug, marijuana is actually an “exit drug”—it serves as a substitute and helps to wean people off more dangerous and addicting prescription drugs, street drugs and even alcohol.

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director
Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc.
Trenton

*Bachhuber et al. Medical Cannabis Laws and Opioid Analgesic Overdose Mortality in the United States, 1999-2010. JAMA Intern Med. 2014.

Testimony to the NJ Senate Judiciary Committee in support of legalizing, taxing and regulating marijuana for adults

November 16, 2015

Chairman Scutari and members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to address this issue.

My name is Ken Wolski.  I am Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana—New Jersey, Inc.  (CMMNJ)   I am a registered nurse (RN) with 39 years experience in New Jersey & Pennsylvania.  I've studied the issue of medical marijuana for over 20 years.  My resume is included in the packet of material I have provided to the committee, along with some recent articles I have published on the subject.  I have also included testimony from people who could not be here today.

New Jersey's Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP) is a failure.  When the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act (CUMMA) passed into law in Jan., 2010, the Legislature found and declared that:

• there was “beneficial use for marijuana in treating or alleviating the pain or other symptoms associated with certain debilitating medical conditions” and,
• that this “law will have the practical effect of protecting from arrest the vast majority of seriously ill people who have a medical need to use marijuana.”

That has simply not happened in the nearly 6 years since this bill became law:

• only five (5) ATCs are open--that's like having 5 pharmacies in the entire state;
• about 350 doctors are in the MMP--out of over 30,000 physicians in the state; and,
• about 5000 patients have MMP ID cards, in a state with almost 9 million people.

Marijuana has enormous therapeutic potential, but:

• most people who could benefit from marijuana therapy do not have one of the severely limited qualifying conditions;
• those who do have a qualifying condition find the application process and/or the Regulations too difficult, or too time-consuming to manage; and,
• even those who manage to get an ID card find the program too expensive to afford.

The Department of Health was empowered by the legislation to add qualifying conditions at any time, but they are still not even accepting applications to do so.

Who are the patients who can benefit from marijuana therapy?  The remarkable diversity of therapeutic effects of marijuana often make me shake my head in disbelief.

In 1993 I met an asthma patient who told me that smoking marijuana was the only thing that helped his asthma.  This went against everything that I believed and taught for the first 17 years that I was a nurse.  I repeatedly cautioned asthma patients to avoid any kind of smoke because it might trigger an asthma attack, which can be fatal.  Then other asthma patients told me the same thing.  Then I read a study that showed that the bronchodilator effects of marijuana along with the anti-anxiety effects overcame the irritant effects of the smoke.  Now I believe that smoking marijuana can help some asthma patients.

In 2003 I met Cheryl Miller who was dying of multiple sclerosis while waging a nationwide campaign for medical marijuana.  She died a few months after I met her and there was a memorial service for her in Washington, D.C. a little after that. At the service, I met a woman from California who had MS and who was in a wheelchair, as the MS had already paralyzed her legs.  This woman told me a remarkable thing.  She said, "Ken, when I smoke marijuana, my MS stops getting worse."  I didn't believe that was possible.  Yet five years later, in 2008, the National MS Society published an Expert Opinion Paper that said marijuana is neuroprotective and that it may delay or even stop the progression of these incurable neurological conditions like MS.

I've suspended my disbelief when I hear remarkable stories of marijuana's therapeutic usefulness.

Consider the range of diseases, symptoms and conditions that New Jersey recognizes marijuana as useful for:

• Seizures
• Glaucoma
• Muscle spasticity
• Neurological conditions
• Bowel conditions like Crohn's Disease
• HIV/AIDS and Cancer, if chronic pain, nausea or the wasting syndrome 
• Any terminal illness if there's less than 12 months to live.

That's just the tip of the iceberg.  There are hundreds of physical conditions, besides AIDS and cancer, that are characterized by chronic pain, nausea, or the wasting syndrome.

Plus, there are a host of mental and emotional conditions that can be helped by marijuana therapy.

Twenty-two (22) veterans commit suicide every day in the U.S. because PTSD is so poorly managed by traditional pharmaceuticals, yet marijuana shows great promise in the management of this condition. One of the cannabinoids in marijuana, CBD, is being used with great success in Europe in treating schizophrenia.  Bipolar disorder, crippling anxiety, and Attention Deficit Disorder can also be managed with marijuana.

Marijuana can do all these remarkable things because scientists have recently discovered the system in the human body that interacts with cannabinoids, the components of marijuana.  The system is called the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and it is, in part, a series of receptors in every organ of the body for cannabinoids.  The pharmaceutical industry is developing synthetic drugs to manipulate this system and the federal government has a patent on the neuroprotective and antiinflammatory components of this system.

Yet the ECS is only mentioned in 14% of the medical schools in the U.S.

There are hundreds of thousands of people in New Jersey who could benefit from marijuana therapy--perhaps a million or more.  After all, if you live in the Garden State:

• you have a 1 in 3 chance of having a cancer diagnosis at some point in your life;  
• you have a 1 in 3 chance of having chronic pain--pain that lasts 6 months or more; and,  
• we all die, and marijuana helps with some of the common problem associated with terminal illnesses like no other drug.

This is why CMMNJ endorsed legalization of marijuana in New Jersey.  It is the most efficient and effective way to get the therapeutic benefits of marijuana to the vast number of patients who can benefit from it.

CMMNJ believes that marijuana legalization here is inevitable--it's just a question of time.  But we need to learn from the failures of the MMP.  We need to empower people to produce their own medicine. Home cultivation of a limited amount of marijuana could have a very positive effect on the public health of New Jersey residents.  It ensures access to the benefits of this plant, regardless of income status.  It can slash health care costs significantly by reducing the need for expensive pharmaceuticals, hospitalizations, and surgical procedures.  In states with home cultivation there is a 25% reduction in opiate overdose deaths.  The very act of growing a living plant can have a positive effect on a dying person.  The NJ State Senate already approved home cultivation in Feb., 2009 when the CUMMA was working its way through the legislature.  This time, let's make sure we keep home cultivation as part of the law to legalize, regulate and tax marijuana in New Jersey.

Thank you for your attention.

Kenneth R. Wolski, RN, MPA
Trenton, NJ

New Jersey Legislative Questionnaire

Dear New Jersey Legislator,

New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform ( www.njumr.org ) reports that:

• there are over 21,000 arrests for marijuana possession each year in the state, and 
• New Jersey spent over one billion dollars in the last decade on enforcement of these laws, and
• minorities in New Jersey are nearly three times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than Caucasians, despite similar rates of use, and 
• New Jersey could potentially receive over a hundred million dollars per year in new revenue from the taxation of regulated marijuana sales, and
• regulating marijuana in a State-controlled system will ensure strict controls over marijuana advertising, labeling, potency and quality, while preventing access to youth, and
• driving under the influence of marijuana will remain illegal in New Jersey.

In view of this, do you support legislation to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana for adults in New Jersey?

____    ___      ___________
YES     NO      UNDECIDED

Please return survey to info@cmmnj.org

Or mail to the address below.

Many thanks for your participation in this important survey!

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

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

November 2015 CMMNJ Public Meeting--10 Years at the Library

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Township Library, Room #1
Tuesday, November 10, 2015, 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve October 2015 minutes.  Discuss:

Nov. 2015--10 Year Anniversary of CMMNJ Meetings at the Lawrence Library!

A4587—Requires schools to permit medical marijuana use by qualifying patients.  Passed Legislature on 6/29; awaits action by Gov. Christie. Barbour lawsuits continue. CMMNJ poll of legislators' opinion on marijuana reform--no replies.

Upcoming Events:
This Veteran's Day, Don't Thank Us, HELP US!
Philadelphia Veterans Protest with Mike Whiter, Independence Hall, noon, 11/8/15.
2015 Reform Conference, 11/18-21/15, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA.

Recent events:
ACLU NJ Annual Meeting, Princeton, NJ 10/20/15.
Jon Peditto Guilty! Faces 10 year mandatory minimum 12/23; no mercy in Toms River.
Breakwater ATC opened in Cranbury, NJ on 10/15, making a total of 5 ATCs in NJ.
Paul Abramson, Mid-Atlantic rep of MJBA trade assn. gave an update on his company.
Asbury Park Resolution submitted to Trenton, Voorhees, and Camden Co. Freeholders.
Thursday Statehouse Podcasts  11am-2pm: see Facebook “Friends of CMMNJ” or Sativa Cross for details. “Magic Butter Machine” raffled off monthly--retail value $200.
“CMMNJ TV” October taping cancelled--no guests.  November not scheduled.

Treasury report: Checking: $2506; PayPal: $3626. Multicolored hemp bands from Romania--Suggested retail price: $3/apiece; 2 for $5.  Wholesale prices are available.

CMMNJ's meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7 - 9 PM at the Lawrence Twp. Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Twp., 08648. 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 
October 13, 2015

About 50,000 all hemp wristbands/necklaces were donated to CMMNJ.  The multicolored wristbands were rolled in Romania. Suggested retail price: $3/apiece; 2 for $5. Wholesale prices available.

Allan Marain, Esq. discussed CMMNJ's amicus brief to the NJ Supreme Court on behalf of Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion's "medical necessity" appeal of his conviction.

A4587—Requires schools to permit medical marijuana use by qualifying patients.  Passed Legislature on 6/29; awaits action by Gov. Christie. Barbour lawsuits continue. CMMNJ will poll officials who are running for office to get their opinion on marijuana reform.

A new ATC in Bellmawr, NJ, Compassionate Sciences, is selling ounces for $480 with 10% discount for low income.

“CMMNJ TV” taping: Reschedule Spanish episode to 10/27?
Thursday Statehouse Podcasts: see Facebook “Friends of CMMNJ” or Sativa Cross for details. “Magic Butter Machine” raffled off monthly on the podcast--retail value $200.

Upcoming Events:
NJ Cannabis Freedom Rally, 10/17/15, Trenton, with East Coast Cannabis Coalition.
2015 Reform Conference, 11/18-21/15, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA.

Recent events: Boston Freedom Rally 9/26 & 9/27.
NJWeedman’s event, Sat., 9/5/15, and March for Ganja, 9/4/15, Trenton.
"Higher Ground @ Asbury Spark" on 9/11-13, Asbury Park, with Roland Ramos.
Septemberfest: on 9/13, 10 am to 5 pm in Hamilton Twp’s. Veterans Park.
PicklePalooza, 9/19, Island Beach State Park.

Treasury report: Checking: $3110; PayPal: $3801

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

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

WOLSKI: Sentence doesn’t fit crime
http://www.app.com/story/opinion/columnists/2015/10/14/wolski-sentence-fit-crime/73914828/

N.J. marijuana legalization activists plan march, rally at Statehouse
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2015/10/nj_marijuana_legalization_activists_plan_march_ral.html

Hundreds participate in N.J. Cannabis Freedom Rally in Trenton
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2015/10/hundreds_participate_in_nj_cannabis_freedom_rally.html

Pot patients still face hurdles
http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/health/2015/10/28/medical-marijuana-new-jersey-laws-doctors-prescribe-few-patients/74690852/

Gardener or drug dealer? Man says he shouldn't be convicted for growing marijuana plants
http://www.nj.com/ocean/index.ssf/2015/10/gardener_or_drug_dealer_man_says_he_shouldnt_be_co.html

Man guilty in Pinelands pot farm case
http://www.app.com/story/news/crime/jersey-mayhem/2015/10/29/man-guilty-pinelands-pot-farm-case/74835062/?fb_action_ids=1081162905249148&fb_action_types=og.comments

NJ Weedman filming reality TV show out of restaurant in Trenton
http://www.trentonian.com/general-news/20151004/nj-weedman-filming-reality-tv-show-out-of-restaurant-in-trenton

NJWeedman’s Passing the Joint: Do #blacklivesmatter in the Marijuana Legalization Movement?
http://www.trentonian.com/opinion/20151009/njweedmans-passing-the-joint-do-blacklivesmatter-in-the-marijuana-legalization-movement

N.J.'s 5th medical marijuana dispensary to open Thursday
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/10/njs_5th_medical_marijuana_dispensary_to_open_thurs.html

Is N.J. medical marijuana program finally chilling out? | The Auditor
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/10/is_new_jerseys_medical_marijuana_program_finally_c.html

New Jersey Sees A Fifth Medical Marijuana Dispensary Open
http://www.theweedblog.com/new-jersey-sees-a-fifth-medical-marijuana-dispensary-open/

On Ballot, Ohio Grapples With Specter of Marijuana Monopoly
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/02/us/on-ballot-ohio-grapples-with-specter-of-marijuana-monopoly.html?emc=edit_tnt_20151101&nlid=17961243&tntemail0=y&_r=0

Law in Your Corner Focus on: Probable Cause
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/randolph/columns/law-in-your-corner/articles/law-in-your-corner-focus-on-probable-cause

Cannabis Nurse Magazine
http://cannabisnursesmagazine.com/october-issue/

Canada Is on the Brink of Making Marijuana Legal
http://www.newsweek.com/canada-brink-making-marijuana-legal-388628

Ignorance Is No Excuse Tour: Glouscester County Courthouse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znE09dewh74

WATCH: Chris Christie Clashes With Veteran Nurse Over Medical Marijuana
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/10/22/3714999/chris-christie-medical-marijuana-veteran-nurse/

CMMNJ's Telling It Like It Is By SativaCross.com 10/29/15
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSFm2DLuFZY

NJ FREEDOM RALLY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feY_H4NiseY

Ignorance Is No Excuse Tour: Ocean County Courthouse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShKZeqBSlBs