CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for May 12, 2026

 

CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for May 12, 2026 at 7 pm

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This is a free, open, non-judgmental space for individuals to express their opinions and thoughts on current events and issues on medical marijuana.

 

Agenda: New Jersey Issues

Cannabis Industry Events:

High Times Cannabis Cup Launches in A.C., NJ, May 1, 2026

MJUNPACKED: a national cannabis conference & expo curated for licensed operators, researchers, and investors, in A.C., NJ, May 5-7, 2026

Homegrow: Bipartisan bills S2564 (Adult-Use + Medical) and S1758 (Medical Only) are pending in the legislature; only Budget and Appropriations Committees are scheduled for May 2026.

The fight for home grow continues this year on 4/20 at the NJ Statehouse. The Sativa Cross held a demonstration outside the Statehouse.

No response from Gov. Sherrill on request for a Moratorium on arrests for small medical gardens of cannabis in NJ. Sen. Gopal supports moratorium on arrests for medicinal cannabis gardens.

Doctors for Drug Policy Reform (D4DPR): Celebrated 10 Years of Physician Leadership in Drug Policy Reform, “A Tribute to Founder David L. Nathan, MD.”

NJ diverted $45 million in opioid funds: The reason doesn’t add up. Opioid Settlements: Funding Will Support State and Local Responses to Combating the Opioid Epidemic

Patient Leadership Initiative, by CMMNJ Board member Mike Brennan.

BOOK PROJECT: “Psychedelics in Clinical Practice: Scientific, Social, Legal, and Economic Pathways" Have you participated in a clinically supervised psychedelic experience? If so, contact Gaetano Lardieri gaetanothcbd@gmail.com

VA refuses to certify a DAV for NJ's medical cannabis program: on 5/5/26, a VA psychiatrist documented his refusal to certify Ryan Chase, a 100% Disabled American Veteran, for the New Jersey Medicinal Cannabis Program, despite the facts that:

•     Mr. Chase has qualifying medical conditions to access the NJ program; and,

•     Medicinal Cannabis is now a Schedule III drug through NJ's program; and,

•     Mr. Chase cannot afford the fee charged to patients by NJ prescribers who certify patients.

Mr. Chase has expressed interest in starting legal action to force the VA to certify him for NJ's program. Can anyone assist Mr. Chase (ryanfchase@gmail.com) with obtaining legal aid, whose fees would be contingent on a successful outcome of the legal action against the VA?

CMMNJ Upcoming Events (volunteers always welcome):

• Jersey Pride Festival (Asbury Park), June 7, 2026, the state's largest, drawing over 20,000, at Sunset Park/Cookman Ave.
• Archer Health Fair, 5/21/26, 10 -2 pm, 1025 Laurel Oak Rd, Voorhees, NJ
• Moorestown Day, June 6, 2026, 9 AM – 3 PM.
• UFCW Union Hall on Saturday, June 6 from 1-5 PM, Berlin, NJ.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

Next meeting: May 14, 11 a.m.. Watch on Zoom or on YouTube

No decision yet as CMMNJ Seeks SEEF Grant from NJ CRC; “The Governor and the Legislature have the sole authority to allocate or distribute revenue.”  

New: Harris Laufer, Chair; Jacqueline Ferraro, Vice Chair

Fact Sheet about rescheduling of cannabis under federal law. See: cann-ra.org.

Medicinal Cannabis Program Participation (as of 4/15/2026)

• Total patients: 47,967
• Caregivers: 3,115
• Doctors: 1,541
• Month to Month Patient Numbers

Be Cannabis S.M.A.R.T. Safe & Responsible Consumption

New Jersey CRC’s pamphlet about medical cannabis patient rights/protections.

Federal Drug Policy Reform:

The Justice Department and the DEA announced on 4/23/26 the issuance of an order (published 4/28) immediately placing marijuana products regulated by a state medical marijuana license in Schedule III of the CSA, as well as a new administrative hearing beginning June 29, 2026 to consider the broader rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III. Yes!

Marijuana Opponents File Lawsuit To Block Trump Administration’s Federal Rescheduling Move SAM and the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association (NDASA) on 5/4/26 asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for DC Circuit to set aside the cannabis rescheduling action, alleging that they have been “aggrieved” by the reform.

State-Licensed Marijuana Businesses Can Now Apply For Federal Protections Using New DEA Form

E.O 4/18/26: The FDA and DEA shall allow patients to access psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine compounds, under the Right to Try Act, and allocate $50 million to partner with State governments that advance psychedelic drugs for serious mental illnesses. 

The 54th Annual NYC Cannabis Parade & Million Mushroom March From Handcuffs to Heritage May 2, 2026 · High Noon FREE DANA BEAL!        Dana Beal: Please send emails re: Medical waiver and clemency request to Marilyn Eldredge, Idaho Parole Commission: meldredg@idoc.idaho.gov.

Ibogaine Works Inc. (IWI): a NY-based nonprofit committed to psychedelic harm reduction, and advocacy: ibogaineworks.org 

END THE OVERDOSE CRISIS: A Memorial & Reading of the Names, May 9, 2026 (Opioid Awareness Day), NYC City Hall.

Medical Marijuana Can Be A ‘Profoundly Helpful Tool’ For Seniors Dealing With Pain & Other Maladies: 25% of medical cannabis patients are 65 or older, and 34% are in the 50–65 range. P. Grinspoon, M.D.

Hyperemesis is sending cannabis users to the ER

The Association of Cannabinoid Specialists: Endometriosis & The Endocannabinoid System on May 19 at 7 PM ET.

Americans for Safe Access Action Pledge. Is Cannabis (marijuana) Legal Now? What the New Federal Cannabis Scheduling Means: protections for patients in federally subsidized housing, healthcare settings, federal workplaces, veterans’ care, and other federal system

Hospital and Institutional Access:

NJ patients in hospitals, nursing homes, state institutions, group homes and hospice need access to medical cannabis. Patient outcomes would improve, and health care costs would be reduced with access to medical cannabis. 

Treasury report: $8,117.

CMMNJ blogspot: Fundraiser to Support Senior Harm-Reduction

Fundraising ideas are always welcome. CMMNJ has thousands of hemp wristbands. Can your organization use them? See the photo below.

Donate via PayPal: Info@CMMNJ.org

Or scan:

Or mail a check to:

        CMMNJ

        219 Woodside Ave.

        Trenton, NJ 08618

Together, we can ensure patients have the knowledge they need to use cannabis safely and responsibly.

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com 

#CMMNJ #SeniorSafety #PatientAdvocacy #CannabisEducation #HarmReduction

The goal of CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is to have safe, legal, and affordable access to plant medicine for all qualified New Jersey patients.

CMMNJ was instrumental in getting the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act introduced into the New Jersey Legislature in 2005 and signed into law in 2010. Legal sales of medical marijuana in the state began on December 6, 2012.

In 2014, CMMNJ’s Board of Directors endorsed legalization of marijuana. In 2021, New Jersey became the 13th U.S. state to fully legalize marijuana.

CMMNJ’s ongoing goals include home cultivation rights; insurance coverage; and hospital & institutional access for medical cannabis, along with safe and legal access to all plant medicine.

More info: 

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

Twitter/X: @CMM_NJ

CMMNJ blog: https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/

CMMNJ website: https://cmmnj.org/

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