CMMNJ Monthly Meeting Agenda for April 12, 2022 at 7 pm
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83077209125?pwd=ZmpRaUd4blRickxJODZVMDNqbEhadz09
Meeting ID: 830 7720 9125
Passcode: 058904
Agenda:
The ’22-‘23 NJ Legislative Session started on 1/11/22. These lawmakers will deal with cannabis bills: Senate Chamber Seating and Assembly Chamber Seating.
Senate Health Committee unanimously passed Medical Cannabis Insurance bill S313 at its hearing on 3/10/22: Costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO. CMMNJ Testimony in Support of S313.
Other Medical Cannabis Insurance bills:
- S309: Requires workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances.
- S782: Establishes program to subsidize price of medical cannabis for registered patients enrolled in Medicaid or NJ Family Care programs.
- A389: Creates protections for insurers and insurance producers engaging in business of insurance in connection with cannabis-related businesses.
Bennabis Health offers a membership plan to Medicinal Marijuana Patients in NJ. For an introductory fee of $120 per year, members receive a 15% discount on medical cannabis at Network Dispensaries!
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) on March 15 began accepting applications from those who wish to open dispensaries to sell marijuana to anyone over 21. By 4 p.m., 172 applications had been filed. On March 24 the CRC approved 68 conditional licenses for recreational growers and manufacturers, but tabled a vote on allowing existing ATCs to begin selling marijuana to recreational customers. Sen. Nick Scutari called for hearings into NJ legal weed delays.
The CRC will hold a special meeting on April 11, at 1 p.m. where they will consider certifications for expanded ATCs. More info. Delays not unusual?
Emerging Social Equity Concerns in New Jersey.
Testimony to the NJ CRC by: Ken Wolski, RN, March 24, 2022, (oral testimony at 1:40:03) on:
1. Medical conditions that should be added to the Medicinal Cannabis Program
2. Patient education/counseling needs
3. Medicinal product expiration dates
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to federally legalize marijuana (the MORE Act). The vote (220-204) fell along party lines with only three Republicans supporting the measure and two Democrats opposing it. The bill heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) will file his own cannabis bill.
The U.S. Senate voted to expand research into cannabis to see if there are any medical benefit…Marijuana could be a way to combat the opioid epidemic.
Workplace: In Hunt v. Matthews plaintiff alleges that the employer refused to hire him after a pre-employment drug screen had a positive THC result and he disclosed his status as a licensed medical marijuana patient.
“Cannabis workers will be pursuing union representation not only in NJ, but around the nation:” Hugh Giordano, UFCW Local 360.
Home cultivation bills:
- S342/A997: Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis.
- A1422: Legalizes possession of six or fewer marijuana plants, subject to enactment of legislation legalizing marijuana for personal use.
- A3657/S353: Legalizes growing up to six marijuana plants for personal use, and up to 10 plants for medical use, by persons aged 21 or older.
Stockton U. Cannabis Job Fair and Business Expo
Growing Equity: Healing from Prohibition in Princeton, Chris Goldstein
New Jersey CannaBusiness Association (NJCBA) Lunch and Learn 4/1/22, Michael Turner provided a Policy Update. NJCBA Lunch and Learn Playlist.
Trenton, NJ State House Demonstration with Sativa Cross, April 20, 2022, 11 am.
Treasury report:
Checking: $9,395; PayPal: $31.
Make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal to info@cmmnj.org, or send a check to:
CMMNJ, 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618.
Many thanks to Curaleaf! They have the CMMNJ hemp bracelets available for patrons to purchase at all three of their NJ dispensaries—Bellmawr, Bordentown and Edgewater Park!
Thanks to Board member Michael Brennan for his CMMNJ birthday fundraiser!
More info:
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/
Website: Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey: https://www.cmmnj.org
Twitter: @CMM_NJ
CMMNJ blog: https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/
CMMNJ is a proud winner of the 2021 NJ State Governor's Jefferson Award in the Volunteer Group category.
CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is a non-profit educational organization.