CMMNJ: Kenneth R. Wolski

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Tuesday, February 7, 2017

CMMNJ Public Meeting Agenda for Feb. 14, 2017

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda
Lawrence Twp. Library, Rm. #1
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve January 2017 minutes. Discuss:

NJ DOH Panel will consider 45 Petitions to add qualifying conditions to the Medicinal Marijuana Program. A Public Comment period is expected soon—be prepared! For a list of the conditions, see: http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2017/01/petitions-to-nj-doh-panel.html
For links to each Petition, see:
http://www.nj.gov/health/medicalmarijuana/review-panel/petitions2016.shtml

NJ legalization bill expected soon. What strategies should we pursue to advance the support for legalization of marijuana in NJ in 2017? Educational efforts, Coalition building, demonstrations, Media & Social Media outreach. New website touts NJ reform: https://www.3fronts.org/

New Jersey Cannabusiness Association (NJCBA): Trade association focused on supporting the growing legal cannabis industry. http://www.newjerseycannabusiness.com/

Upcoming Events:
“CMMNJ TV” will next tape on February 28, 2017, 10 am to 2 pm. Guests?
What Nurses Need to Know about Medical Cannabis; UMCP, 2/18/17, 8am – 1pm.
“Meet the Experts, Atlantic City B2B Spring Break” 3/18&19: http://www.meetexperts.org/
“Benefits of medical marijuana” at MS self-help group, Hunterdon County, 2/25 noon.

Treasury report: Checking: $3152; PayPal: $2622. Multicolored hemp bands from Romania--Suggested retail price: $1/apiece; 3 for $2. 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, 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
January 10, 2017

NJ DOH released 45 Petitions to add qualifying conditions to the Medicinal Marijuana Program that are under consideration by the DOH Panel. A Public Comment period is expected soon—will Lefty Live Stream it?

Susan Carson is now listed as the Director of the NJ DOH MMP: 609.292.0424

Discussion about strategies to pursue in 2017 to advance legalization of marijuana in NJ? Educational efforts, coalition building, demonstrations, media & social media outreach. Goals: home cultivation and expungement of prior non-violent marijuana records. ATC’s are well situated to add recreational marijuana to their medical marijuana, but please don’t forget inner city communities devastated by the War on Marijuana. Rescheduling discussion.

NJ Administrative Law Judge: employer must pay for medical marijuana for employee.

Ken Wolski and Dr. David Nathan were interviewed on NJTV News: http://watch.njtvonline.org/video/2365918193/

CMMNJ’s Year End Report for 2016 was completed: http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2017/01/cmmnj-year-end-report-2016.html

NJ NURSE: “PTSD Qualifies for Marijuana Therapy in New Jersey” by Ken Wolski, RN: http://nursingald.com/publications/1442

Upcoming Events:
“CMMNJ TV” will next tape on January 17, 2017, 10 am to 2 pm.
What Nurses Need to Know about Medical Cannabis; UMCP 2/18/17, 8am – 1pm.
Women’s March in Trenton, 1/21/17.
ECCC March and Rally at the Trenton Statehouse, 1/15/17.

Treasury report: Checking: $3092; PayPal: $2672. Multicolored hemp bands from Romania--Suggested retail price: $1/apiece; 3 for $2. Wholesale prices are available.

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.

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Hundreds with PTSD enroll in N.J. medical marijuana program
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/homepage-feature/item/100252-hundreds-with-ptsd-enroll-in-nj-medical-marijuana-program

What's driving new wave of patients signing up for medical marijuana in N.J.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/01/nj_ptsd_sufferers_rush_to_sign_up_for_medical_mari.html

These medical conditions could soon be treated with marijuana in NJ
http://nj1015.com/these-medical-conditions-could-soon-be-treated-with-marijuana-in-nj/

New Jersey Activists Fight To Expand Medical Marijuana Program
http://patch.com/new-jersey/westorange/new-jersey-weed-activists-fight-expand-medical-marijuana-program

New Jersey Marijuana Patients Offer Human Side To Weed Debate
http://patch.com/new-jersey/caldwells/s/fzvry/new-jersey-marijuana-patients-offer-human-side-to-weed-debate

Essay: How being lawmaker turned me into a medical marijuana activist, by Scott Rudder
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/new-jersey-spotlight/100256-op-ed-will-changes-in-cannabis-laws-around-the-country-impact-new-jersey

The Promised Land of Medical Marijuana
http://www.hadassahmagazine.org/2017/01/17/promised-land-medical-marijuana/

IACM-Bulletin of 05 February 2017
http://www.cannabis-med.org/english/bulletin/ww_en_db_cannabis_artikel.php?id=498&utm_content=buffer25ec3&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

New Jersey’s Cannabis Industry is Growing: Where Does it Grow from Here?
http://hightimes.com/news/new-jerseys-cannabis-industry-is-growing-where-does-it-grow-from-here/

7 States To Watch In 2017 For Marijuana Legalization
(DE, RI, NJ, TX, KY, NM, VT, MO)
http://www.weednews.co/7-states-to-watch-in-2017-for-marijuana-legalization/

Leaders look to tackle marijuana use
http://www.advertisernewssouth.com/article/20170104/NEWS01/170109987/Leaders-look-to-tackle-marijuana-use

Judge: Insurance company must pay for medical marijuana for injured N.J. worker
http://www.philly.com/philly/health/20170106_Judge__Insurance_company_must_pay_for_medical_marijuana_for_injured_N_J__worker.html

Will push to legalize marijuana in NJ survive Trump’s attorney general?
http://nj1015.com/will-push-to-legalize-marijuana-in-nj-survive-trumps-attorney-general/?trackback=tsmclip

New Jersey Marijuana Legislation Inches Ahead Despite Gov. Christie Warning
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/New-Jersey-Marijuana-Legislation-Christie-Warning-410764015.html

NJ trade group touts the business of cannabis
http://www.dailyrecord.com/story/news/2017/01/22/nj-trade-group-touts-business-cannabis/96788936/

Legalize Pot? Drug Analyst Tells N.J. Forum that Colorado’s Pot Law is a Bust
http://ocnjdaily.com/drug-analyst-tells-n-j-forum-colorados-pot-law-is-a-bust/

Benefits of medical marijuana to be discussed at meeting of MS self-help group
http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2017/02/benefits_of_medical_marijuana_to_be_discussed_at_m.html

Marijuana tension between clinical, alternative medicine
http://www.njherald.com/article/20170204/AP/302049998

What Nurses Need to know about Medical Cannabis presented at University Medical Center of Princeton
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-nurses-need-to-know-about-medical-cannabis-presented-at-university-princeton-medical-center-of-tickets-28727818679

“Meet the Experts, Atlantic City B2B Spring Break” 3/18&19
http://www.meetexperts.org/

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

CMMNJ Public Meeting Agenda for June 14, 2016

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda
Lawrence Township Library
Room #2
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve May 2016 minutes. Discuss:

No CMMNJ public meeting in July 2016!

Assembly Regulatory Oversight Committee passes A457 (to add PTSD to NJ's MMP) out of committee, 6/2/16 Statehouse Annex, Trenton, NJ.

NJ could reap $300 million/year in sales tax by legalizing marijuana for recreational use, according to NJ United for Marijuana Reform and NJ Policy Perspective.

Pennsylvania, the 24th medical marijuana state, is hiring a Director, Bureau of Medical Marijuana, Permanent Full-time. PA allows parents to import cannabis.

NJWeedman Update: Forchion arrested again and charged with harassing a Trenton P.O. Appeal from 2010 arrest denied cert by SCOTUS on 5/16.

NJ DOH to add qualifying conditions to MMP--but when? Model petitions worked on.

Ongoing Thursday Podcasts at the Statehouse resumed April 7, 2016, 11-2 pm, Trenton.

Interview with Jim Miller on NJ Capitol Report with Steve Adubato, taping at the NJTV Studios (2 Gateway) in Newark on June 28th.

CMMNJ TV will be taping 7/12 in Princeton (there will be no public CMMNJ meeting in July due to a schedule conflict with the library).

NORML Lobby Day 5/23 & 24/16 Washington, DC. Ken won NORML's "Peter McWilliams Award for Outstanding Achievement in Medical Marijuana."

Write to Jon Peditto, SBI: 000175573D, unit 4R, c/o Southern State Correctional Facility, 4295 North Delsea Drive, P.O. Box 150, Belmont, New Jersey 08314

Upcoming Events: CMMNJ Meeting to develop education for NJ MDs, 6/23/16.
Clinton Health and Wellness Center, update on the NJ MMP, 6/25, noon-2 p.m.

Recent events:
Global Marijuana March, 5/7/16, NYC & Rehoboth, DE; 5/8/16 Philadelphia.

Treasury report: Checking: $2152; PayPal: $3729. 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/

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

Monthly Public Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2016

Pennsylvania became the 24th medical marijuana state as Governor Wolf signed Senate Bill 3, on April 17, 2016. PTSD & chronic pain OK, but no flowers.
UNGASS 2016, 4/19-21, U.N., NYC. CMMNJ joined other NGOs & signed several statements in support of drug policy reform. Update from Bob Kane who represented CMMNJ at the U.N. with the Beckley Foundation. We hope for more progress at next UNGASS in 2019. There is still time to sign Beckley Foundation's Public Letter.
East Coast Cannabis Coalition passed a symbolic Joint from Maine to Florida. #‎UnityCypher‬ ‪#‎UnityTorch received in NYC, & passed to Trenton & Philly April 19-20.
NJWeedman Update: "Joint" & "Liberty Bell Temple" visited by LEOs 3/5/16 followed by injunction to stop harassment; raided by LEOs on 4/27/16 with multiple arrests and property confiscated. Appeal from 2010 arrest being reviewed by SCOTUS 5/12-5/16.
NJ DOH to add qualifying conditions for marijuana therapy; CMMNJ producing model petitions to DOH--Jim & Vanessa, PTSD; Ken, chronic pain; Peter, neuropathic pain.
Ongoing Thursday Podcasts at the Statehouse resumed 4/7/16; Press Release in 2 wks.
Breakwater ATC offers 5% discount to any patient with a CMMNJ t-shirt!
Nick Mellis agrees to chair a "Goodbye to Chris Christie Committee."
CMMNJ TV with Angie Patterson broadcast today and Friday on Princeton TV.
Jon Peditto mailing address: SBI 000175573D, unit 4R, c/o Southern State Correctional Facility,4295 North Delsea Drive, P.O. Box 150, Belmont, New Jersey 08314
Global Marijuana March, 5/7/16, NYC & Rehoboth, DE; 5/8/16 Philadelphia.
Amanda to put Beckley Foundation's Public Letter on the CMMNJ website.

Upcoming Events: NORML Lobby Day 5/23&24/16 Washington, DC. Ken to get "Peter McWilliams Award for Outstanding Achievement in Medical Marijuana," 5/23/16.

Recent events: NJLP convention 3/12/16, Tavern on the Lake, Hightstown, NJ.
NJ Senate & Assembly Budget Testimony, 3/15&16/16 Glassboro & Collingswood, NJ
ASA's Medical Marijuana Unity Conference, 3/18-22, Washington, D.C.
Patients Out of Time conference, 4/14-16/16, Baltimore.
Trenton 4/20, 2pm March from City Hall to Rally at Statehouse, After Party at The Joint.
CMMNJ Board meeting, 4/6/16.

Treasury report: Checking: $2234; PayPal: $3679. 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 Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/

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

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Monday, July 6, 2015

CMMNJ Agenda for July 14, 2015 Public Meeting; June Minutes & Media Update

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda
Lawrence Township Library, Room #3
Tuesday, July 14, 2015, 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve June 2015 minutes. Discuss:

Asbury Park Resolution in support of legalizing marijuana up for a vote on 7/8/15, 7 pm at One Municipal Plaza, Asbury Park, 07712

A4587—Requires schools and developmental disability facilities to adopt policies permitting the use of medical marijuana for qualifying patients. Introduced on 6/22/15, passed the Assembly on 6/25; passed the Senate on 6/29; awaits action by Gov. Christie.

NJ State Senate support sought for bills that were OK’d by the Assembly: A-3726/S2898 - Authorizes medical marijuana for qualifying patients with PTSD; A-4286/S2899 - OKs transfer of excess medical marijuana between ATCs; ACR224/SCR166 - Certain medical marijuana regulations are inconsistent with legislative intent.

“CMMNJ TV”—taping canceled 6/30: Next taping: July 23, 2015, noon to 4 pm.
Weekly Statehouse Podcasts: see Facebook “Friends of CMMNJ” for details.
CMMNJ Patient Handbook 2015--$10 donation suggested—OK to put handbooks in ATCs?

Upcoming Events:
Smoke Down Prohibition 2.0: The Return, Friday, 7/10/15 at 4 pm in Love Park, Philly.
Slightly Stoopid, Stone Pony, Asbury Park, 7/11/15—Eric & Amanda volunteered.
Trial of Jon Peditto, Toms River; jury selection delayed to 8/3/15; jury nullification attempt.
Fundraiser for CMMNJ?

Recent events:
Barbour lawsuit against LARC School & Maple Shade BOE hearing 6/25/15.
Asbury Park officials agree to pass resolution urging state lawmakers to legalize marijuana.

Treasury report: Checking: $2277; PayPal: $3758.

CMMNJ's meetings are the second 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
June 9, 2015

The NJ Senate Health Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing and take testimony on the following bills on Monday, 6/15/15 at 1:00 pm in Committee Room #1 in the Statehouse Annex.
CMMNJ encourages public testimony in support of these bills:
S2898 - Authorizes medical marijuana for qualifying patients with PTSD.
S2899 - OKs transfer of excess medical marijuana between ATCs.
(Note: the bills were pulled from the committee's agenda at the last minute on 6/15.)

“CMMNJ TV”—episode taped 5/27, next taping: 6/30, noon to 4 pm. Guests?
June Thursday demonstrations at the Statehouse continue 6/11, 18 & 25, 11 am to 2 pm.

News: Gov. Christie vows to eliminate legalized marijuana if elected president.

U.S. House votes to stop DEA & DOJ from interfering with state medical marijuana laws, 6/3.

HUD’s policy “guidelines” for medical marijuana patients—evict them even if no conviction!

Former head of NJ’s MMP, John O’Brien, is now compliance officer at Pallia Tech in NY.

National Geographic and Time both have very positive cover stories on marijuana.

CMMNJ Patient Handbook available--$10 donation suggested. Handbooks should be in ATCs—letter sent to DOH asking permission for this today.

Upcoming Events:
Smoke Down Prohibition 2.0: The Return, Friday, 7/10/15 at 4 pm in Love Park, Philly.
Slightly Stoopid, Stone Pony, Asbury Park, 7/11/15—Eric & Amanda volunteered.
Oaksterdam Certification Class, Washington, D.C., 6/27 & 6/28 ($600 for 13 hours).
Barbour lawsuit against LARC School & Maple Shade BOE.
Fundraiser for CMMNJ? CMMNJ needs to participate in more community events to raise funds and to collect more email addresses.
Trial of Jon Peditto, Toms River; 8/3/15; jury nullification attempt

Recent events:
"Patients Out of Time" conference, W. Palm Beach, Florida, 5/21-23/15.
NJWeedman’s appellate court oral arguments, 5/27, Hughes Justice Complex. Trenton.
NJ United for Marijuana Reform Conference Call, 5/7/15. https://www.njumr.org

Treasury report: Checking: $2401; PayPal: $3749.

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

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs

Legislature Approves Greenwald & Lampitt Bill to Ensure Students with Debilitating Illnesses & Disabilities are Not Denied Medical Marijuana Relief while at School
http://www.assemblydems.com/Article.asp?ArticleID=9935

Asbury Park backs legalization of marijuana
http://www.app.com/story/news/local/eatontown-asbury-park/asbury-park/2015/06/29/asbury-park-backs-legalization-marijuana/29491579/?fb_ref=Default

Good Housekeeping: Medical Marijuana Saved Our Daughter's Life
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a33066/genny-barbour-medical-marijuana/

Marijuana saved this mother's life
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hyRgN8pQXk

PalliaTech hires former New Jersey pot czar as compliance chief
http://www.newsday.com/business/palliatech-hires-former-new-jersey-pot-czar-john-o-brien-as-compliance-chief-1.10499446

N.J. medical marijuana activists annoyed
as dormant nonprofit pushes for N.Y. dispensary
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/nj_medical_marijuana_activists_annoyed_as_dormant.html

Medical Marijuana Feeds Familiar Hopes of Renewal Around New York State
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/02/nyregion/medical-marijuana-feeds-familiar-hopes-of-renewal-around-new-york-state.html?emc=edit_tnt_20150604&nlid=17961243&tntemail0=y&_r=0

Would you break the law to help a sick relative if medical marijuana is not approved? PennLive poll
http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/06/breaking_the_law_to_help_a_sic.html#incart_story_package

Legalized marijuana would be eliminated under a Christie presidency
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/recreational_marijuana_would_get_turned_off_under.html

7 States Where Medical Marijuana Is Legal But Barely Accessible
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/7-states-where-medical-marijuana-is-legal-but-barely-accessible-20150609#ixzz3cg9pyklH

PTSD sufferers should have medical pot access, says NJ lawmaker
http://nj1015.com/ptsd-sufferers-should-have-medical-pot-access-says-nj-lawmaker/

Companies Can Fire Workers for Marijuana Use, Colorado Court Rules
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/16/us/companies-can-fire-workers-for-marijuana-use-colorado-court-rules.html?emc=edit_tnt_20150615&eml_thmb=1&nlid=17961243&tntemail0=y&_r=0

'NJ Weedman's Joint' opens in Trenton with $4.20 specials
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2015/06/nj_weedmans_joint_opens_in_trenton_with_420_specia.html

NJ Weedman opens Trenton restaurant
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/NJ_Weedman_opens_Trenton_restaurant.html

Medical marijuana laws don't influence teens to light up, study says
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/medical_marijuana_laws_dont_influence_teens_to_lig.html

Study: medical marijuana laws don't influence teens to smoke
http://www.phillyvoice.com/study-medical-marijuana-laws-nfluence-teens/

NJ's medical marijuana patients in danger of losing jobs
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/new-jersey/83123-njs-medicial-marijuana-patients-in-danger-of-losing-jobs

Parents: Let our teen take medical marijuana
http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/local/south-jersey/2015/06/16/maple-shade-parents-suing-medical-marijuana/28804985/

Poll: Should N.J. tax and legalize marijuana use by people 21 and older?
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/poll_should_nj_tax_and_legalize_marijuana_use_by_p.html

Study: Scant evidence that medical pot helps many illnesses
http://www.my9nj.com/story/29387273/study-scant-evidence-that-medical-pot-helps-many-illnesses

The American Legion: The Cannabis Question
http://www.legion.org/magazine/228290/cannabis-question

Bill permitting edible medical marijuana in N.J. schools up for final vote
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/bill_permitting_edible_medical_marijuana_in_nj_sch.html

Allowing kids to get medical marijuana in NJ schools now up to Christie
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/83620-allowing-kids-to-be-given-medical-marijuana-in-nj-schools-now-up-to-chrisitie

N.J. lawmakers send bill to Christie allowing students to use medical marijuana in school
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/nj_lawmakers_approve_bill_allowing_students_consum.html

Dr. Jahan Marcu, The Biochemical System Controlling the Effects of Cannabis: An Introduction
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/the_biochemical_system_controlling_the_effects_of_cannabis_an_introduction

Dr. David Allen the discovery of the Endocannabinoid System - 420InSight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eDy5zdAt9o

'Weedman' case proves religious discrimination in Burlington County
http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/opinion/letters/weedman-case-proves-religious-discrimination-in-burlington-county/article_83776f68-b607-53c4-a28d-04f35963f491.html
and:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ken-wolski/njweedman-proves-religious-discrimination-in-burlco/10153379365674808

Monday, March 2, 2015

Oral Testimony to the New Jersey Assembly Regulatory Oversight Committee, March 2, 2015, by Kenneth R. Wolski, RN

Chairman Gusciora and members of the Assembly Regulatory Oversight Committee, thank you for the opportunity to again address this committee.

My name is Ken Wolski. I am Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana—New Jersey, Inc. (CMMNJ) I am a registered nurse with 39 years experience in New Jersey & Pennsylvania.

In 2003, I co-founded CMMNJ. We are the only statewide organization in NJ that is solely dedicated to bringing about safe and legal access to medical marijuana. We incorporated in 2006 and became a 501(c)(3) in 2007. Our mission is to educate the public about the benefits of medical marijuana.

Last year I presented to this committee my resume, some Op Eds I had published on the importance of home cultivation, some testimony from patients who are having a great deal of difficulty with the medical marijuana program, and a Compact Disc (CD) containing the revisions to the Regulations that enact the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act (CUMMA) that we feel are necessary in order to make this a successful program.

In looking at where we were a year ago and where we are today, not much has changed.

• 3 ATCs were open then; 3 ATCs are open now (it's like having three pharmacies in the entire state);
• About 250 doctors were in the program then; about 350 doctors are in it now--out of over 30,000 licensed physicians in the state;
• About 1700 patients were registered a year ago; about 3700 patients are registered now, in a state with almost 9 million people.

When the 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,
• 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 5 years since this bill became law.

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 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.

Limited qualifying conditions:
There is no valid medical or scientific reason to limit marijuana therapy for pain management to only two diseases, cancer and HIV/AIDS.

Marijuana is effective for pain management for any disease, injury or medical condition that causes chronic pain, and, for conditions that cause neuropathic pain, marijuana works better than any other drug on the market. Last year there was some question about what constitutes chronic pain and I want to offer a definition so that we are clear on this. Chronic pain is unrelieved pain in a major disabling condition that continues for six months or more. Marijuana therapy is appropriate for any chronic condition that a doctor might prescribe a narcotic for
and, in fact, marijuana is significantly safer than narcotics. There is a 25% reduction in opiate overdose deaths in states that have robust medical marijuana programs. See that article from “Science Daily” that I provided to members of this committee.

There is no reason to limit marijuana therapy for only three neurological conditions. Marijuana is neuroprotective according to the Expert Opinion Paper of the National MS Society published in 2008. That means that marijuana can delay or even stop the progression of these incurable neurological conditions, but it continues to be nearly impossible for patients to legally access.

Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day in the U.S. because Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is so poorly managed by traditional pharmaceuticals. We give parades and platitudes to veterans for their
service, but we deny them access to appropriate health care—marijuana therapy—which shows great promise in the management of PTSD in the states and foreign countries where it is allowed.

The DOH is empowered to add qualifying conditions at any time. But the DOH has created an overly burdensome process that we believe is designed to fail. The process has not even started yet due to self-imposed restrictions by the DOH.

Application process too difficult:
Finding a doctor who participates in the MMP is difficult when only about 1% of NJ physicians are signed up to take part. The Regulations created the very thing the statute wanted to avoid—patients going to a small list of doctors specifically for marijuana recommendations. The statute wanted to ensure that there was a bona fide doctor/patient relationship but instead, patients have to abandon their family doctors and specialists and find a doctor on the DOH’s list.

The application process is too lengthy for nearly all hospice patients who die before they ever get access, and for many cancer patients who get a cancer diagnosis and have to endure chemotherapy before they can ever get an ID card.

Medical marijuana too expensive:
The marijuana from New Jersey’s ATCs is the most expensive in the nation. It is just not an option for the many patients who have been impoverished by their illness.

The DOH justified this high price by saying in its Biennial Report that NJ is an expensive state to live in. There was no sympathy at all from the DOH, no attempt at accommodating the poor—the DOH just seemed to say, “If you want cheaper medical marijuana, go find yourself another state to live in.”

In the packet of material I have provided to Committee members, there is:
• Testimony from two patients, Maryanne Boniello and Vanessa Waltz who could not be here today. Their testimony explains in detail some of the problems they have had with the medical marijuana program;
• A Petition for Rulemaking that CMMNJ submitted to DOH in Oct., 2014. CMMNJ made a formal application through the Regulatory process to the DOH for modifications to some of the more egregious regulations. Namely:
1. Eliminate the $200 fee for all volunteer caregivers and eliminate the illegal sales tax on medical marijuana.
2. Delete the registration requirement for doctors as well as the unwarranted course requirement in pain management in order for licensed physicians to recommend medical marijuana.
3. Eliminate the regulatory requirement for physicians to violate patient confidentiality and that section which interferes with the physician’s professional judgment.
4. Eliminate the regulatory requirement that requires physicians to provide warnings to patients that directly contradicts the law.
5. Add as an additional qualifying debilitating condition Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to accommodate the influx of recent military service veterans inasmuch as the DOH failed to establish the panel as required by N.J.A.C 8:64-5.1 to add new conditions.
6. Eliminate the requirement for parents to seek the approval of three licensed physicians in order to obtain medical marijuana for their child.
• The packet of material also contains a summary of the changes A3525/S2312 will bring to the NJ Medicinal Marijuana Program. This is a much more comprehensive legislative fix of the MMP, that:
1. Eliminates the physician registry;
2. Expands qualifying conditions—includes PTSD, Alzheimer’s, Lyme or Parkinson’s Disease, hepatitis, nail patella & any condition causing severe or chronic pain, severe nausea or cachexia;
3. Restores limited home cultivation (five plants plus one or more mother plants) for patients--patients may grow themselves, use a registered grower, or use an Alternative Treatment Center;
4. Protects organ transplant patients from disqualification simply for the use of medical marijuana;
5. Eliminates the tax on the sale, use, cultivation and possession of marijuana;
6. Includes explicit employee protection—makes it unlawful to take adverse employment action simply for medical marijuana use;
7. Eliminates background check and fee for caregiver ID card;
8. Reduces ID card fee to $50 with no automatic expiration;
9. Eliminates requirement for psychiatric clearance for minors—keeps pediatrician requirement;
10. Requires initial and ongoing training for all state, county and local Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) on the rights of patients, growers and caregivers and trains LEOs in Field Sobriety Tests who may not simply rely on blood or urine tests for DUIs;
11. Includes explicit immunity from civil liability and criminal prosecution for the authorized use of medical marijuana;
12. Requires physicians to determine the form, strain and amount of marijuana for their patients and eliminates the two ounce/month limit, as the amount required is determined by patient need;
13. Allows patients to obtain medical marijuana from out-of-state if necessary and out-of–state ID cards are honored in New Jersey;
14. Cuts permit fees for Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) from $20,000 to $5000 and imposes no upper limit on the number of ATCs permitted;
15. Removes strain or potency limits imposed on marijuana cultivated;
16. Allows ATCs to dispense a 60-day supply of marijuana instead of current 30-day limit;
17. Permits any edible form of marijuana for any age;
18. Establishes dosage units for all forms in conjunction with Department of Health (DOH);
19. Requires testing in licensed laboratories on each batch of marijuana (and on request) for chemical composition, biologic contaminants, pesticides, solvents and foreign material with results of testing available on request;
20. Forbids the DOH to issue overly restrictive or unduly burdensome regulations for this law.

In summary, the MMP fails the vast majority of patients in NJ who:
• Who know they can benefit from marijuana therapy;
• Who see patients in other states obtaining relief with marijuana therapy for the same debilitating medical conditions that they have;
• Thought they would be protected by having safe and legal access to marijuana therapy; and,
• Who continue to suffer needlessly—and even die--in NJ, or who break the law and risk serious civil and criminal penalties for their use of an unauthorized medicine.

CMMNJ believes that the MMP is a case of Failure to Thrive. This Failure to Thrive is not the result of a lack of ability on the part of the Health Department, but a lack of political will to create a meaningful program, and this is directly a result of Governor Chris Christie.

This governor has said that he is “done” expanding the medical marijuana program, apparently regardless of whatever evidence is presented to him. He has questioned the legitimacy of this program, and all 23 state programs like it, by saying these programs are just a “front” for legalization.

I worked in state government here in NJ for 25 years, all, or part of, five decades, actually. I know how the system works. The governor appoints the commissioner of the Department of Health and that commissioner serves at the pleasure of the governor. If the commissioner does not carry out the wishes of the governor, that commissioner is replaced.

I believe that public health is too important to be run this way. The Commissioner of the Department of Health needs independence from the political whims of governors (especially those with presidential ambitions whose decisions may well not be based on the best interests of the people of the State of New Jersey). A Health Commissioner in New Jersey could perhaps be independently elected, or else be given lifetime tenure after vetting. Some solution must exist to ensure that public health decisions in NJ are based on sound science and not political whims or worse yet, delusions.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

CMMNJ Public Meeting Agenda for Feb. 14, 2017

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

CMMNJ Public Meeting Agenda for June 14, 2016

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Monday, July 6, 2015

CMMNJ Agenda for July 14, 2015 Public Meeting; June Minutes & Media Update

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs

Monday, March 2, 2015

Oral Testimony to the New Jersey Assembly Regulatory Oversight Committee, March 2, 2015, by Kenneth R. Wolski, RN

Ken and Jim at Redbank Fundraiser

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