CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for January 14, 2025 at 7 pm
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Agenda:
Got 10 Minutes? Help Shape the Future of Medical Cannabis Access! Are you satisfied with current cannabis laws and access? Or frustrated? Americans for Safe Access (ASA) fights for safe and legal access but can’t do it without your insights.
NJ Home Grow Coalition was named Reformer of the Year! Help us legalize home grow - NJhomegrow.com, Cannademix, Trichome Analytical (Cannabis Testing Laboratory), NORML
U.S. appeals court: a NJ law barring employment discrimination against cannabis users does not allow for private lawsuits, and tossed out a proposed class action against Walmart… a significant setback for both cannabis and employment law.
The federal government has awarded Rutgers University more than half a million dollars to study the effects of medical cannabis for 5 years. Researchers will examine the risk for Cannabis Use Disorder.
NJ marijuana sales have exceeded $1 billion for 2024, the CRC said. Combined recreational and medical marijuana purchases reached $1,004,826,946—marking a 25 percent increase over 2023’s total.
The Top International Cannabis Stories From 2024
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):
Next meeting: Thursday, February 6, 11 a.m.
Location: 44 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton NJ. Watch on YouTube.
Register to speak by February 4th at 5 p.m. Submit comments in writing to the CRC here by February 7th at 5 p.m.
The NJCRC set the Social Equity Excise Fee (SEEF) at $2.50 for an ounce of cannabis, up from $1.24, starting on January 1. The fee goes into a fund dedicated to social equity programs and reinvesting in communities harmed by marijuana criminalization. A portion also goes to programs to divert youth from cannabis use.
The CRC December 12th meeting on YouTube.
The CRC began accepting applications for Cannabis Consumption Areas on January 2nd from Social Equity and Economically Disadvantaged Area businesses only. On April 2nd, micro and diversely owned, and on July 2nd, from everyone else.
NJ Cannabis Trade Association (NJCTA) wanted to eliminate patient-only hours at Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs), and the CRC agreed.
There are 383 adult-use cannabis companies operating now. The patient count is down to 66,378.
Federal Drug Policy Reform:
DEA Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) John Mulrooney scheduled testimony in the cannabis rescheduling process, now set to begin on January 21:
1/21/2025 Government
1/22/2025 Hemp for Victory (HFV)
1/23/2025 Cannabis Bioscience International Holdings (CBIH)
1/28/2025 Connecticut Office of the Cannabis Ombudsman (OCO)
1/29/2025 National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
1/30/2025 Village Farms International (VFI)
2/4/2025 The Commonwealth Project (TCP)
2/5/2025 Veterans Initiative 22 (VI22)2/6/2025 Dr. Ari Kirshenbaum
Americans for Safe Access will hold a virtual hearing with respect to the proposed rescheduling of marijuana into schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.
Doctors for Drug Policy Reform (D4DPR) is challenging DEA’s denial of its participation in the proceedings and is asking the DEA judge to stay the hearings.
The Journal of the American Medical Association finds that psilocybin-assisted therapy “resulted in a significant, sustained reduction of symptoms of depression.”
Editorial: Harm reduction must replace punitive drug policies: The Lancet Global Health; The Global Commission on Drug Policy called for a re-evaluation of the global drug response.
It will now be up to the First Circuit to decide whether broad federal cannabis prohibition is constitutional.
CMMNJ’s medical cannabis ongoing goals:
Insurance bills:
- S1944: Costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO. The bills passed both Health Committees and are in the Senate and Assembly Budget and Oversight Committees.
- S1943/A4371: Requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage.
- A898/S2828: Subsidize medical cannabis in Medicaid or NJ Family Care.
Website: https://www.letpatientsgrownj.com/
Upcoming Events:
Treasury report:
Checking: $9,708. PayPal; $414.
Fundraising ideas are always welcome. Hemp wristbands available!
More info:
Ken Wolski, RN, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/
Twitter: @CMM_NJ
CMMNJ blog: https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/
Website: Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey website being redesigned. Join the “CMMNJ Tech Team” to help with website, etc. Text Nick Mellis @ 609.331.9304
CMMNJ awards:
2021: NJ Governor's Jefferson Award in the Volunteer Group category;2023: NJ State Governor's Volunteerism Award in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Champion for Justice Category "for extraordinary service to your community;"
2023: Ken Wolski won a Lifetime Achievement award;
2023: NJ Senate and Assembly Joint Legislative Resolution affirmed CMMNJ's importance as a "catalyst for the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana in the State" and paid “tribute to all who have contributed to its success and renown.”
CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is a non-profit educational organization.
