CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for Jan. 10, 2017

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Township Library 
Tuesday, January 10, 2017 
7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve December 2016 minutes. Discuss:

NJ DOH released 45 Petitions to add qualifying conditions to the Medicinal Marijuana Program that are under consideration by a DOH Panel. 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

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

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.

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. Scheduled are Chris Conrad and Honeyb.
What Nurses Need to know about Medical Cannabis; UMCP 2/18/17, 8am – 1pm

Treasury report: Checking: $3092; PayPal: $2672. 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 
December 13, 2016

October 2016 minutes were approved (there was no meeting in November 2016).

On Election Day, four states OK’d legal marijuana (California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada); four states OK’d medical marijuana (Arkansas, Florida, Montana and North Dakota). What can reform advocates expect from President-elect Trump?

NJ legislative delegation toured legal marijuana industry in CO. Sen. Scutari calls it "the next economic engine for the state." Sen. Sweeney: Recreational marijuana could be legal in N J by 2018.
Gov. Christie restates his opposition to marijuana, “The Gateway Drug.”

No word yet from the NJ DOH on the Petitions to add qualifying conditions to the state’s MMP. A number of Petitions were submitted in August 2016 (Chronic pain, Anxiety, Migraines, OA, Neuropathic pain, Autism and Opiate Use Disorder that we know of.) The DOH Panel  will review the Petitions and then there will be a 60 day public comment period.

Bob Kane report on U. of P. marijuana panel (PA getting started setting up dispensaries. They expect it will take about one year to be functional. PA Medical Cannabis Society is a player.).

Lefty Grimes got a patient’s medical marijuana back from the Bayonne Police!

Garden State Cannabis Consultants being formed with Bob Kane and Nick Mellis.

ASA releases challenge to DEA: REQUEST FOR CORRECTION OF INFORMATION DISSEMINATED BY DEA REGARDING MARIJUANA (CANNABIS)

Philippe Dume was welcomed onto the Board of CMMNJ at the Board meeting on 11-30-16.

Appellate Court heard oral arguments for marijuana rescheduling in NJ on 11/29/16 in Trenton. Arguing pro bono to reschedule were Joseph L. Linares, Esq. and Marc Haefner, Esq. from the Newark Walsh law firm.

Upcoming Events:  
“CMMNJ TV” will next tape on January 17, 2017, 10 am to 2 pm. Scheduled are…?
What Nurses Need to know about Medical Cannabis; UMCP 2/18/17, 8am – 1pm

Recent events: 
CMMNJ Guest Lecture at TCNJ PoliSci Class: The Politics and Public Policy of Marijuana, 10-26-16.
PCTV host Doris Robinson discussed medical marijuana with Ken Wolski, RN and Debi Madaio, RN at the PCTV studio in Piscataway, NJ, 10-19-16.
CMMNJ TV episode with Dana Beal, Zoe Patchell & Tony Liberte, 10-18-16.
Weekly Thursday Podcasts continued at the Statehouse until 11/17/16.

Treasury report: Checking: $2963; PayPal: $2643. Multicolored hemp bands from Romania--Suggested retail price: $1/apiece; 3 for $2. Wholesale prices are available.

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

N.J. residents with chronic pain and other ailments seek medical marijuana http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20161213_N_J__residents_with_chronic_pain_and_other_ailments_seek_medical_marijuana.html

Feds must drop outdated marijuana prohibition
http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Feds-must-drop-outdated-marijuana-prohibition-10823091.php

Gov. Christie Compares Cannabis to Heroin
https://www.marijuanatimes.org/gov-christie-compares-cannabis-to-heroin/

Should states with medical marijuana still categorize it as dangerous?
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/new-jersey/99348-attorneys-urge-state-to-change-classification-of-marijuana-

Ridgefield Park schools adopt medical marijuana policy
http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/ridgefield-park/2016/11/29/ridgefield-park-schools-poised-adopt-medical-marijuana-policy/94624032/

Marijuana, Immigration Law and John Lennon
http://www.jewishlinknj.com/features/16002-marijuana-immigration-law-and-john-lennon

NJ Weedman feels ‘like a prisoner at Guantanamo’ in drug trial
http://www.trentonian.com/general-news/20161207/nj-weedman-feels-like-a-prisoner-at-guantanamo-in-drug-trial#disqus_thread

NJ Weedman asks for help replacing confiscated "weedmobile"
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2016/12/nj_weedman_asks_for_help_replacing_confiscated_wee.html

NJ NURSE: PTSD Qualifies for Marijuana Therapy in New Jersey
http://nursingald.com/publications/1442

Dumont Restaurateur Pioneers Medical Marijuana Club
http://bergenfield.dailyvoice.com/lifestyle/dumont-restaurateur-pioneers-medical-marijuana-club/689374/

Ten Years and Growing: Medical Marijuana in Rhode Island – Where Are We Now?
http://www.rimed.org/rimedicaljournal/2016/12/2016-12-50-health-mcdonald.pdf

Marijuana Advocates to Light Up, Hand Out Thousands of Joints During Trump Inauguration
http://thejointblog.com/joints-trump-inauguration/

New Jersey Judge of Compensation Orders Employer To Pay Costs Of Medical Marijuana Program And Costs Of Filling Prescriptions
http://njworkerscompblog.com/new-jersey-judge-of-compensation-orders-employercarrier-to-pay-costs-of-medical-marijuana-program-and-costs-of-filling-prescriptions-for-marijuana/

A Pop-Up Marijuana Garden in Philadelphia?!!
http://hightimes.com/news/pop-up-weed-gardens-growing-consumer-rights/

Parkinson's Disease tremor control
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAdDdTZuNA8&feature=youtu.be

CMMNJ TV: Dana Beal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdN63pIBCg8

The DEA Bursts the CBD Bubble
https://www.projectcbd.org/article/dea-bursts-cbd-bubble

This Month in Marijuana - December 2016
https://www.facebook.com/notes/marijuana-majority/this-month-in-marijuana-december-2016/579867478804572

Audrey and Kevin Byrnes discuss medical marijuana, laws and uses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dKk5byTFFk

Questions Over Marijuana Policy in Trump Administration
http://watch.njtvonline.org/video/2365918193/

Israel, a Medical Marijuana Pioneer, Is Eager to Capitalize
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/17/world/middleeast/israel-a-medical-marijuana-pioneer-is-eager-to-capitalize.html?emc=edit_tnt_20161217&nlid=17961243&tntemail0=y

Navy Veteran & VA Hospital Inpatient Tests Boundaries of Conflicting State & Federal Cannabis Laws
https://www.prlog.org/12604610-navy-veteran-va-hospital-inpatient-tests-boundaries-of-conflicting-state-federal-cannabis-laws.html

CMMNJ Public Meeting Agenda for May 10, 2016

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Township Library, Room #2
Tuesday, May 10, 2016  7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve March 2016 minutes. Discuss:

Pennsylvania--the 24th medical marijuana state. 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. Sign Beckley Foundation's Public Letter (below). Bob Kane represents CMMNJ.

East Coast Cannabis Coalition passed the ‪#‎UnityCypher‬ ‪#‎UnityTorch‬ Joint from NYC to Trenton to Philly April 19 - 20 on its way from Portland, Maine to Miami, Florida.

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. SCOTUS appeal pending from 2010 arrest.

NJ DOH appoints panel to add qualifying conditions for marijuana therapy to MMP.

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

Breakwater ATC offers 5% discount to any patient with a CMMNJ t-shirt!

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:
NORML Lobby Day 5/23&24/16 Washington, DC.
Global Marijuana March, 5/7/16, NYC & Rehoboth, DE; 5/8/16 Philadelphia.

Recent events:
NJLP convention 3/12/16, 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.

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/?fref=ts

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

Monthly Public Meeting Minutes 
March 8, 2016 

Jo Anne Zito welcomed onto CMMNJ Board of Directors at 2/23/16 Board meeting.

Breakwater ATC offers 5% discount to any patient with a CMMNJ t-shirt!
Compassionate Sciences ATC offering workshops for patients in Bellmawr, NJ.

CMMNJ met with Asm. Greenwald's aide in the Statehouse re: edible availability.

Upcoming Events: Patients Out of Time conference, 4/14-16/16, Baltimore.
UNGASS 2016, 4/19-21, U.N., NYC. East Coast Cannabis Coalition Joint Torch relay from Maine to Florida--4/19 at U.N. in NYC and 4/20 in Trenton, and heading south.
Global Marijuana March, 5/7/16, NYC & Rehoboth, DE; Philly 5/8/16.
NJ Senate & Assembly Budget Testimony, 3/15&16/16 Glassboro & Collingswood, NJ
American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) meeting at NJWeedman's "Joint," 322 E. State St., Trenton, NJ, 3/14/16, 7 - 8:30 pm. Date change to 4/7/16, 5 - 8 pm.
ASA's Medical Marijuana Unity Conference, 3/18-22, Washington, D.C.
CannMed 2016, 4/10-11, Harvard School of Med, Boston (Dr. Mechoulam, et.al.)
Trenton 4/20, 2pm March from City Hall to Rally at Statehouse, After Party at The Joint.
NJLP convention 3/12/16, Tavern on the Lake, Hightstown, NJ.
Thursday Podcasts at the Trenton Statehouse to resume April 7, 2016, 11-2 pm.

Recent events: “CMMNJ TV” taping with Mary Lynn Mathre, RN and Mike Krawitz via Skype, 3/1/16 at Princeton Community TV Studio, 10 am to 2 pm.
Jon Peditto transferred to Southern State Correctional Facility to serve 8 years.

Treasury report: Checking: $2204; PayPal: $3650. 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/?fref=ts

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

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Governor Wolf Signs Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill into Law
https://www.governor.pa.gov/governor-wolf-signs-medical-marijuana-legalization-bill-into-law/

Local residents, Delco officials discuss benefits of medical marijuana
http://www.delcotimes.com/article/DC/20160501/NEWS/160509983

NJWeedman’s Joint Raided: NJWeedman Arrested With ‘Joint Boys’
https://kylemoore357.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/njweedmans-joint-raided-njweedman-arrested-with-joint-boys/

Interview: "NJ Weedman" Petitions Supreme Court for Marijuana Case
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuAPwXvhbIM

NJ Weedman SCOTUS Petition:
http://www.njweedman.com/USSUPREMECOURT_NJVSFORCHION_PETITION_FOR_CERTIORARI.pdf

‘NJWeedman’ is No Joke. He’s New Jersey’s Cannabis Pioneer.
https://www.leafly.com/news/headlines/njweedman-is-no-joke-hes-new-jerseys-cannabis-pioneer

​Support The NJ Weedman
http://www.wolfenotes.com/2016/04/support-the-nj-weedman/

Out of UNGASS: 2016 Public Letter
http://beckleyfoundation.org/2016/04/18/the-beckley-foundations-2016-public-letter/
Sign it:
https://beckleyfoundation.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5077c28d0fa342a692492154e&id=460d32b7e9

Multiple Nations Call for Reform in International Cannabis Policies at United Nations
http://www.safeaccessnow.org/multiple_nations_call_for_reform_in_international_cannabis_policies_at_united_nations

Ad Hoc US Coalition for Global Drug Policy Reform
http://stopthedrugwar.org/files/coalition.pdf

Cannabis and Cannabis Resin
Critical Review Preparation Document
http://american-safe-access.s3.amazonaws.com/criticalreviewFINAL.pdf

UNGASS Outcome: Missed Opportunity for UN, but Global Reform Movement Grows & Continues to Push for Better Drug Policies
http://www.drugpolicy.org/blog/ungass-outcome-missed-opportunity-un-global-reform-movement-grows-continues-push-better-drug-po?ms=2D1_1604AprilNewsletter_UNGASS&utm_campaign=fy16newsletter&cid=701U0000001fFWw&spMailingID=25370312&spUserID=MTUxMjg1ODEzNjk1S0&spJobID=784593067&spReportId=Nzg0NTkzMDY3S0

65K N.J. children have grown up with a parent in prison
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/04/65k_nj_children_have_grown_up_with_a_parent_in_pri.html

420 Legalization March 2016 - Trenton, NJ - #ECCC #AnonNJTV #HempSec
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8hxx2UQVYQ&feature=youtu.be

The Tenth National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics
http://patientsoutoftime.org/the-tenth-national-clinical-conference-on-cannabis-therapeutics/

Medical Marijuana Scarce and Costly as Christie Fights Broader Access
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-04-13/medical-pot-scarce-and-costly-as-christie-fights-broader-access

N.J. panel may expand medical marijuana use
http://articles.philly.com/2016-03-24/news/71761994_1_ken-wolski-panel-members-medical-marijuana-new-jersey#xtHPiSOhaOxgJeYz.01

NJ Assemblyman Wants To Allow Medical Marijuana Use For Menstrual Cramps
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2016/04/08/medical-marijuana-menstrual-cramps-new-jersey/

Activists Plan Mass Marijuana Consumption At The White House, But Some Cannabis Advocates Question Civil Disobedience
http://www.ibtimes.com/activists-plan-mass-marijuana-consumption-white-house-some-cannabis-advocates-2347139?fb_action_ids=10153535021203657&fb_action_types=og.comments

Philly 420: NJ pot arrests still high
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Philly_420_NJ_pot_arrests_still_high.html#1hDyFabAAhsYKKew.99

CMMNJ TV Angela Patterson/INE Jamesburg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlC_vLtOa0U

LETTER: Offer marijuana for chronic pain
http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/opinion/readers/2016/04/24/letter-offer-marijuana-chronic-pain/83357156/

Seniors and marijuana
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/seniors-and-marijuana/?linkId=24040373

Trauma is a Gateway Drug
http://www.acesconnection.com/blog/trauma-is-a-gateway-drug

MEDICAL CANNABIS CURRICULUM FOR NURSES: https://themedicalcannabisinstitute.org/product/medical-cannabis-curriculum-for-nurses/

Irish Legislature (Oireachtas) Urged to Reform Drug Policy

Response to Public Comment Request by The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Defense and Equality

July 27, 2015

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of the Committee:

My name is Robert Kane and I am writing this letter with the hope of effecting a change in the national drug policy of Ireland. As a citizen of both the United States of America and Ireland, it is an honor to address such an important issue.

My college years in the 1970s and 1980s were, like those of many young people, a time of experimentation with drugs and alcohol. It was only thanks to the discretion and compassion of a law enforcement officer, that I did not incur an arrest record for a small amount of cannabis.

As a parent, I feel that my ability to openly discuss drug-related issues with our children helps to keep our family close knit and well adjusted. It is unrealistic to expect that my kids abstain completely
from the use of drugs and/or alcohol as they grow older. I believe (as does my wife) that a harm reduction approach is what works best in our home. The last several decades have shown that the global “War on Drugs” cannot be won, and that the casualties include countless broken families left to struggle when a family member goes to jail for a drug related offence. Under current U.S. laws, even a small amount of cannabis can, in some states, result in lengthy prison terms and costs of $10,000.00 or more in legal fees. This is unacceptable.

Ireland has the opportunity to serve as a leader in drug policy reform. It is the moral imperative of any legislative body to preserve the integrity of the family unit, as this is the foundation of a healthy modern society.

The world is growing weary of the mass incarceration of those convicted of victimless crimes and non violent drug offences. Our prison population (in the U.S.) has quadrupled since the 1980’s; largely due to excessive mandatory minimum sentences.

I propose that Ireland adopt a policy similar to the Portuguese Decriminalization Model. Portugal should not be the only place where an E.U. citizen can go to live and not have to worry that they might be incarcerated for possession of a personal amount of any drug. I urge legislators in Ireland to adopt steering and oversight committees which could expand on the Portugal Model in several positive ways.

Bearing in mind the fact that drug use will likely not rise upon decriminalization, the Government of Ireland can and should take the progressive step of allowing addicts to legally procure prescriptions from doctors; and safe access centers be created with social workers, mental health and medical staff on hand for the usage of controlled substances. The goal would be to assist the addict through counseling, education, rehabilitation and ultimately re-introduction into society as part of a productive workforce. This concept could potentially reduce petty thefts and other crimes addicts commit to fund their habits; thereby enabling law enforcement to focus efforts on white collar and violent crime. If the government controlled the supply of hard drugs, these substances could then be closely regulated and dispensed via medical professionals. This approach would insure that quality and purity of various substances are held to pharmaceutical industry standards and are free of unwanted adulterants; while effectively displacing the criminal syndicates which now supply the demand. Cannabis should be legalized for personal use with regulations and taxation implemented. The revenue generated could be used for education similar to the U.S. State of Colorado.
 
While many countries are undergoing a paradigm shift on this topic, the timing seems right for Ireland to transform its drug policy and become the standard to which other nations will aspire to replicate. The potential for medical and psychological clinical research is virtually unlimited once restrictions are eased. Studies presently underway in Israel, the Beckley Foundation in the U.K. and elsewhere show exciting promise with such diseases as Alzheimer’s, many cancers, digestive disorders and depression among others. Cannabis shows promise of alleviating opioid dependence and certain cancers. Easing restrictions on medical and clinical research of previously banned substances could pave the way for universities and corporations to develop new treatments and improve the public’s overall quality of life. This would involve U.N. restrictions to be relaxed, which may be plausible in the near future as evidence mounts in favor of decriminalization.

In summation, it is time for a change in our collective attitudes from that of a punitive culture of judgment, where those with illness and addictions are treated as criminals, to one of compassion and acceptance. When the mystique and allure is stripped from the drug, people may find that moderation is and always will be the key to a healthy and balanced life.

Sincerely,

Robert G. Kane
Ocean View, New Jersey