CMMNJ's April 2018 Public Meeting Agenda

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Twp. Library, Rm. #3 
Tuesday, April 10, 2018, 7-9 PM

Approve March 2018 minutes. Discuss:

Descheduling hearings: 4/19/18, Newark, 124 Halsey Street, 9:30-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m., and on 4/24/18 in Trenton, 25 Market Street, 9:30-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Send requests to speak & written comments by 4/12/18 to: www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/Proposals/Pages/default.aspx

CMMNJ testified at the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee on 3/22/18 in support of Substitute bill A3437: https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2018/04/march-25-2018-revised-testimony.html

CMMNJ was invited to Gov. Murphy’s Press Conference on 3/27/18 for the Executive Order #6 Report. CMMNJ was very happy with the recommendations to expand conditions, end registry, cut fees, etc. See:  http://www.state.nj.us/health/medicalmarijuana/documents/EO6Report_Final.pdf

NJ Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee: CMMNJ testified in support of legalizing, taxing and regulating marijuana for adults in NJ on 3/5/18. Follow up committee meetings are planned for 4/21 @ 10 am at Rowan U., Glassboro, and 5/12 @10 am at Bergen C.C., Paramus.

NJ’s legalization bills in 2018 legislative session (S830 / A1348).
Marijuana Justice Act of 2017 (S1689): Urge support in Congress: Capwiz from DPA and NORML.

Political Prisoner Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion in jail over one year; found guilty of nothing! Free him!

Upcoming Events: Marijuana rally planned in Trenton on April 20th (420) from 9 am to 3 pm.

Patients Out of Time conference, “Cannabis: Alleviates Pain, Treats Addiction” Jersey City, 5/10–12/18.
Press release: https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2018/02/national-pot-conference-coming-to-new.html

Trenton mayoral and council candidates’ event, 4/6 & 4/17, Trinity Cathedral, 6-9pm.

NJ Cannabis Commission Response to NJ Black Caucus prohibitionists: Atlantic City, 4/24, 8-4pm.

ASA Unity Conference, “End Pain, Not Lives. Make Cannabis an Option,” Washington, D.C., 5/22-25/18

Treasury report: Checking: $2952; PayPal: $3727.

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, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com http://www.cmmnj.org

Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/

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

Monthly Public Meeting Minutes 
March 13, 2018

February 2018 minutes approved. Discussion:

Many thanks to the representatives of numerous organizations who attended the March meeting!

CMMNJ met with DOH Deputy Commissioner Jackie Cornell on 2/28/18 re Gov. Murphy’s Executive Order #6 to expand and improve access to the Medicinal Marijuana Program. See: Regulatory and Legislative Recommendations for the New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP):
https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2018/04/cmmnjs-regulatory-and-legislative.html

Patients still report ATCs running out of strains like AC/DC, which won’t be available for months. 

NJ Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee: CMMNJ testified in support of legalizing, taxing and regulating marijuana for adults in NJ on March 5, 2018. See: https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2018/03/legislative-testimony-supporting.html
Follow up committee meetings planned for 4/21 @ 10 am at Rowan U., Glassboro, and 5/12 @10 am at Bergen C.C., Paramus.

Advocates speak up at local council meetings throughout the state in support of marijuana reform. Jim Miller went to the Toms River council and Lefty Grimes is going to many communities.

March 10, 2018 was the 15th anniversary of CMMNJ’s first public event at the White Dog Café.

NJ’s legalization bills in 2018 legislative session (S830 / A1348).

Marijuana Justice Act of 2017 (S1689): Urge support in Congress: Capwiz from DPA and NORML.

Political Prisoner Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion in jail over one year; found guilty of nothing! Free him! 

Medical marijuana became available for purchase in Pennsylvania on Feb. 15, and a total of six dispensaries are opening across the state this week. 

Leo Bridgewater attended the Black Caucus meeting in Jersey City—mostly opponents of legalization were invited to speak; follow up meetings 3/27 in Elizabeth and 4/24 at the Borgata in Atlantic City.

Upcoming Events: 
Marijuana rally planned in Trenton on April 20th (420) from 9 am to 3 pm.
 “Cannabis: Alleviates Pain, Treats Addiction” Patients Out of Time conference, Jersey City, 5/10–12/18.
Ken speaking on a panel 5/10; also NJ women veterans speaking. Press release sent 2/6/18.

Treasury report: Checking: $2951; PayPal: $3235; (1000 new ECS brochures purchased). 

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

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

Order 100% hemp bands from CMMNJ: 
$1 each/wholesale prices available

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Executive Order 6 Report
http://www.state.nj.us/health/medicalmarijuana/documents/EO6Report_Final.pdf

How dangerous is marijuana? N.J.'s top cop wants to hear from you
http://www.nj.com/marijuana/2018/04/how_dangerous_is_marijuana_njs_top_cop_want_to_hea.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

The business of weed, from the medical marijuana industry to the black market
http://www.silive.com/news/2018/03/medicinal_black_market.html

Fix medical marijuana program, Phil Murphy's new health commissioner told
http://www.nj.com/marijuana/2018/03/fix_medical_marijuana_program_senate_panel_tells_n.html

Do NJ cops know medical marijuana guidelines? Not really, says an advocate on a mission
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2018/03/09/medical-marijuana-advocate-mission-protect-patients-one-cop-time/1062381001/

Want to make big money in legal weed? These jobs may soon be coming to N.J.
http://www.nj.com/marijuana/2018/03/legal_weed_provides_several_ways_to_make_money_wit.html

Legalized pot in New Jersey - not so fast
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/marijuana-legalize-pot-new-jersey-legislature-20180309.html#loaded

Pot Advocate Quizzes Police on Medical Marijuana Laws
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-jersey/articles/2018-03-10/pot-advocate-quizzes-police-on-medical-marijuana-laws

NJ marijuana legalization: Home grow, 400 legal weed dispensaries OK in new bill
https://www.app.com/story/news/local/public-safety/2018/03/13/new-jersey-marijuana-legalization-weed-dispensaries-home-grow-2018/420023002/

NJ marijuana legalization: Will Murphy’s Jan. 2019 deadline for legal weed become reality?
https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2018/03/15/legal-weed-nj-marijuana-budget-but-not-sure-thing/426324002/

NJ marijuana legalization: Is home grow too much, too soon with legal weed?
https://www.app.com/story/news/local/public-safety/2018/03/16/new-jersey-marijuana-legalization-home-grow-legal-weed-phil-murphy-2018/428630002/

Chris Conrad & Mikki Norris: Their Story | Pt.1: The Golden Years
http://www.cannabisnewsnetwork.com/chris-conrad-mikki-norris-their-story-pt-1-the-golden-years/

Doctors -- not politicians -- should decide who gets medical marijuana, N.J. panel says
http://www.nj.com/marijuana/2018/03/let_doctors_not_politicians_decide_who_gets_medici.html

LAWMAKERS GO FOR HYBRID PROPOSAL TO EXPAND MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM IN NJ
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/03/22/lawmakers-go-for-hybrid-proposal-to-expand-medical-marijuana-program/

Get ready for massive expansion of N.J.'s medical marijuana program. Here's the scoop.
http://www.nj.com/marijuana/2018/03/report_nj_medical_marijuana_program_should_get_hug.html

Murphy makes medical marijuana legit. Here's what needs to happen next | Editorial
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2018/03/new_jersey_has_a_medical_marijuana_program_for_rea.html

New Jersey Adds Five New Medical Marijuana Conditions, Reduces Patient Fee
http://theafricom.com/2018/03/29/new-jersey-adds-five-new-medical-marijuana-conditions.html

Marijuana legalization could help offset opioid epidemic, studies find
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2018/04/02/health/medical-cannabis-law-opioid-prescription-study/index.html

Why These 3 Marijuana Stocks Are Poised For a Big Week
https://www.potnetwork.com/news/why-these-3-marijuana-stocks-are-poised-big-week


Below is Paul Armantano’s guest column submission to the Asbury Park Press in response to the March 8, 2018 editorial (“NJ marijuana legalization: Take a sober look at legal weed”):
https://www.app.com/story/opinion/editorials/2018/03/08/nj-marijuana-legalization-legal-weed/407986002/

For those interested in the source materials/citations for these studies and related papers, these fact-sheets address these and related issues in further details:

http://norml.org/marijuana/fact-sheets

http://norml.org/marijuana/fact-sheets/item/marijuana-regulation-impact-on-health-safety-economy

http://norml.org/marijuana/fact-sheets/item/relationship-between-marijuana-and-opioids

http://norml.org/marijuana/fact-sheets/item/marijuana-regulation-and-teen-use-rates

http://norml.org/marijuana/fact-sheets/item/marijuana-regulation-and-crime-rates

http://norml.org/marijuana/fact-sheets/item/societal-impacts-of-cannabis-dispensaries-retailers

http://norml.org/marijuana/fact-sheets/item/marijuana-legalization-and-impact-on-the-workplace


When It Comes To Legalizing Cannabis — You Have Questions, We Have Answers

by Paul Armentano

Editors pose several valid questions with regard to adult use marijuana regulation and its effects on public safety (“NJ marijuana legalization: Take a sober look at legal weed,” March 8). Specifically, they inquire about the impact of these regulations on teen use, traffic safety, and economic revenue. Fortunately, we have ample data from other jurisdictions that provide answers to these questions.

ADOLESCENT USE

Writing in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Boston University scientists conclude, "We can state with some confidence that, even in states that have enacted marijuana liberalization policies, marijuana use among adolescents is not currently increasing. In fact, there is rather compelling evidence that adolescent marijuana use has steadily declined.” Specifically, in Colorado, "For adults and adolescents, past-month marijuana use has not changed since legalization either in terms of the number of people using or the frequency of use among users. Based on the most comprehensive data available, past month marijuana use among Colorado adolescents is nearly identical to the national average.” So concluded the Colorado Department of Public Health in 2017. According to the Oregon Health Authority, "Recent trends in youth use have been stable.” In Washington, according to data released last year by the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, rates of current marijuana use and lifetime marijuana use have fallen among young people post-legalization. These declines were most pronounced among 8th and 10th graders. Researchers concluded: "We found no evidence that I-502 enactment, on the whole, affected cannabis abuse treatment admissions. ... [and] we found no evidence that the amount of legal cannabis sales affected youth substance use or attitudes about cannabis or drug-related criminal convictions.”

TRAFFIC SAFETY

Data from states that have liberalized marijuana’s legal status show no uptick in motor vehicle crashes. Writing in the August 2017 edition of The American Journal of Public Health, University of Texas researchers compared traffic crash data in the three years  prior to the enactment of adult use legalization in Colorado and Washington versus data trends in the three years immediately following legalization. “We found no significant association between recreational marijuana legalization in Washington and Colorado and subsequent changes in motor vehicle crash fatality rates in the first three years after recreational marijuana legalization,” they concluded. They further reported, “[W]e also found no association between recreational marijuana legalization and total crash rates when analyzing available state-reported non-fatal crash statistics.”

Investigators also compared traffic safety trends in Colorado and Washington versus eight control states that had not altered their marijuana laws. They concluded, “[C]hanges in motor vehicle crash fatality rates for Washington and Colorado were not statistically different from those in similar states without creational marijuana legalization.”

TAX REVENUE

Adults use regulatory schemes are associated with increased tax revenue and job creation. A 2017 state by state analysis by content provider Leafly.com identified 149,304 full-time jobs in the legal cannabis sector. According to data compiled by ZipRecruiter.com, the total number of industry job posts increased by 445% in 2017. Year over year growth of job posts in the cannabis industry is outpacing both tech (254% growth) and healthcare (70% growth). In Colorado, cannabis-specific taxes and fees have yielded $506,143,635 in state revenue since January 1, 2014 — a total that well exceeds initial projections. Cannabis sales in Washington state continue to grow at a steady rate, with total 2017 sales topping $1.1 billion at the end of September. In October, Nevada's recreational marijuana industry hit a new high, selling more than $37.9 million that month alone. The state has earned nearly $20 million in marijuana tax revenue since the adult-use market launched in July, according to Forbes Magazine.


Real world experience from other states indicate that cannabis use and sales can be regulated in a manner that increase revenue while also promoting social justice and public safety. State lawmakers should welcome the opportunity to bring necessary and long overdue controls to the marijuana market. A pragmatic framework regulating adult use, but that continues to restrict marijuana use and access by young people, best reduces the risks associated with the plant's misuse. By contrast, advocating for the marijuana’s continued criminalization only compounds them.

Regards,

Paul Armentano
NORML Deputy Director
paul@norml.org