CMMNJ Public Meeting Agenda for 6/9/15

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

Approve May 2015 minutes.  Discuss:

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

NJ State Senate support sought for the following bills that were OK’d by Assembly floor votes and are now in the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee:

• 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”—episode taped 5/27: Next taping: late June TBD, noon to 4 pm.

Weekly demonstrations at the Statehouse, (see Facebook Friends of CMMNJ for details) with live Podcasts.

CMMNJ Patient Handbook 2015--$10 donation suggested—OK to put handbooks in ATCs?

Upcoming Events:
Trial of Jon Peditto, Toms River; jury selection delayed to 8/3/15; jury nullification attempt.

Recent events: NJWeedman’s appeal of his conviction in Trenton, 5/27.
"Patients Out of Time" conference, W. Palm Beach, Florida, 5/21-23/15.
NJ United for Marijuana Reform Conference Call, 5/7/15.

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

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 
May 12, 2015

CMMNJ testified at NJ Assembly Committee hearing on 3/16. Two bills & one resolution were approved by an Assembly floor vote. Jim P. posted phone scripts on CMMNJ website to get Senate support for:
A-3726 - Authorizes medical marijuana for qualifying patients with PTSD.
A-4286 - OKs transfer of excess medical marijuana between ATCs.
ACR-224 - Certain medical marijuana regulations are inconsistent with legislative intent:

SB3 passed in the PA Senate today; now to the house; poll shows 92% OK with MM in PA.

Sen. Folmer wants stories of NJ patients; issues with MMP; send to kimbetesh@yahoo.com

Genny Barbour story from Maple Shade, NJ made PEOPLE magazine.

“CMMNJ TV”—episodes taped 4/28: Next taping: 5/27, noon to 4 pm. Jim M. to host vets.

Weekly Thursday demonstrations at the Statehouse resumed 4/2/15.

CARERS Act gains momentum in U.S. Congress--the first-ever such bill in U.S. Senate.

CMMNJ Patient Handbook available--$10 donation suggested.  Handbooks should be in ATCs—check with DOH first.

Sharon, a researcher from the ACLU NJ, is looking to tell the stories of adults who have been busted in NJ for small amounts of marijuana (no growers, no DUIs):  call her at 973.519.2847.

Upcoming Events: Trial of Jon Peditto, Toms River; delayed; jury nullification attempt.
NJWeedman’s appeal of his conviction: oral arguments scheduled for 5/27, Trenton.
"Patients Out of Time" conference, W. Palm Beach, Florida, 5/21-23/15.

Recent events: CNN’s “WEED 3” with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, 4/19/15 at 9 pm.
Connie’s Ric Rac 420 event with PhillyNORML, 4/18, S. Philly.
4/20 & 4/25 Protest, March & Concert, 8am– 8 pm, Trenton’s Mill Hill Park to the Statehouse.
Million Marijuana March, 5/2, 2pm – 5pm, Camden, NJ.

Treasury report: Checking: $2840; PayPal: $3681.
More info:  Ken Wolski, RN, (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com
http://www.cmmnj.org

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

“We have just scratched the surface,” (Dr. Raphael Mechoulam) says, “and I greatly regret that I don’t have another lifetime to devote to this field, for we may well discover that cannabinoids are involved in some way in all human diseases.”

Science Seeks to Unlock Marijuana’s Secrets
As the once-vilified drug becomes more accepted, researchers around the world are trying to understand how it works and how it might fight disease.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/06/marijuana/sides-text?sf9354478=1http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2015/06/marijuana/sides-text?sf9354478=1

The Great Pot Experiment
http://time.com/3858353/the-great-pot-experiment/

Teen Battling Epilepsy Fights for the Right to Take Medical Marijuana at School
http://www.people.com/article/new-jersey-family-appeals-ban-preventing-teen-medical-marijuana-school

Vets with PTSD call for medical marijuana expansion
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150510_Vets_with_PTSD_call_for_medical_marijuana_expansion.html

Poll: Should students be allowed to use medical marijuana in school?
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/05/poll_should_students_be_allowed_to_use_medical_mar.html

Medical marijuana at school – Should it be allowed? – Poll
http://nj1015.com/medical-marijuana-at-school-should-it-be-allowed-poll/

CBS2 Exclusive: A Look Inside New Jersey’s Cannabis Factory
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/05/14/medical-marijuana-factor-nj-seen-at-11/

Medical marijuana's sky-high price in New Jersey
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/medical-marijuanas-sky-high-price-in-new-jersey/

Substance abuse risk not greater in those using medical marijuana with prescribed opioids
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-05/joso-sar051115.php

An Open Letter to Those Who Oppose Cannabis Clothes
http://www.ladybud.com/2015/05/19/an-open-letter-to-those-who-oppose-cannabis-clothes/

Philly420: Surprises at Gov. Wolf's Medical Marijuana Forum
http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/philly420/Philly420_Surprises_at_Gov_Wolfs_Medical_Marijuana_Forum_.html#P7DbAJLxuDEOrl37.99

NJ Weedman opens restaurant, sanctuary across the street from Trenton City Hall http://www.trentonian.com/general-news/20150525/nj-weedman-opens-restaurant-sanctuary-across-the-street-from-trenton-city-hall

NJWeedman still fighting Burlington County marijuana conviction
"Our best hope now is NJWeedman," (Wolski) said.
http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/local/njweedman-still-fighting-burlington-county-marijuana-conviction/article_55015b7a-05d6-50a9-a617-8df976eaf420.html?mode=jqm&m=featuredspot

Medical Cannabis Conference 2015 Highlights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJAZvQVshfk&feature=youtu.be

NJ Weedman’s Passing the Joint: Now we wait for court’s decision in NJ v Forchion http://www.trentonian.com/opinion/20150529/nj-weedmans-passing-the-joint-now-we-wait-for-courts-decision-in-nj-v-forchion

NBC10 @ Issue: Medical Marijuana in PA:
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/video/#!/news/local/NBC10---Issue--Medical-Marijuana--Part-1/305638261

Medical marijuana – criticizing the cost of cannabis in New Jersey
http://nj1015.com/medical-marijuana-criticizing-the-cost-of-cannabis-in-new-jersey/

New Jersey MS Patient Takes Medical Marijuana Appeal to State Supreme Court

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8/16/2011

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ)

CONTACT: Ken Wolski 609 394 2137, Chris Goldstein 267 702 3731, William Buckman 856 608 9797

New Jersey MS Patient Takes Medical Marijuana Appeal to State Supreme Court

TRENTON - CMMNJ is pleased to learn that multiple sclerosis patient John Ray Wilson is appealing his marijuana conviction to the New Jersey Supreme Court. He was sentenced to five years in prison for growing seventeen cannabis plants. During his trial, Wilson was not allowed to present his medical condition to the jury. An appellate court ruled in July that “manufacturing” marijuana, a second degree felony, could not be considered “personal” use.

Criminal defense attorney William Buckman of Moorestown, NJ is representing Wilson in the appeal. Buckman has a distinguished career challenging marijuana laws and racial disparities.

“New Jersey already has some of the most draconian laws in the nation with respect to marijuana, costing taxpayers outrageous sums to incarcerate nonviolent, otherwise responsible individuals-- as well as in this case -- the sick and infirm,” said Buckman. “As it stands, the case now allows a person who grows marijuana to be exposed to up to 20 years in jail, even if that marijuana is strictly for his or her own medical use. No fair reading of the law would ever sanction this result.”

Wilson’s conviction in January 2010 came just as New Jersey’s compassionate use law was passed. The state now recognizes MS as a qualifying condition for marijuana therapy.

Ken Wolski, a registered nurse and Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) said, “This case has shocked the conscience of the community. Wilson was unable to present his only defense to the jury--that he used cannabis to treat his multiple sclerosis (MS).”

“The state is allowing six Alternative Treatment Centers to grow thousands of plants and sell the cannabis to registered patients,” Wolski pointed out, “These ATCs were not available to John in 2008. Cultivation was the only way that he could afford to gain access. We hope that the Supreme Court will provide justice in this case.”

The concept that an individual would grow cannabis plants for “personal” use is an important point of law. The implication is that anyone caught with more than 10 plants is intending to distribute the marijuana.

During his trial, Wilson testified that he told the NJ State Police that he was going to keep all of the marijuana. Wilson also described his medical condition to officers as they searched his home.

Attorney William Buckman said, “The misguided appellate division opinion on Mr. Wilson's case exponentially worsens the harm of N.J.'s marijuana laws in ways that could not have been imagined in common sense and reason.”

CMMNJ - http://www.cmmnj.org

William Buckman - http://www.whbuckman.com/

Support John Ray Wilson on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Support-John-Ray-Wilson-New-Jersey-MS-Patient/104540271138

John Wilson's Appeal Denied

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more info, contact: Ken @ (609) 394-2137

NJ MS Patient’s Appeal Denied; Faces Five Years in Prison

WHO: New Jersey MS patient and medical marijuana user John Wilson
WHAT: Was denied his appeal of a five year prison sentence for medical marijuana use
WHEN: July 26, 2011
WHERE: Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division
WHY: Medical/personal use exemption not allowed

The Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division denied the appeal of a five-year prison sentence for medical marijuana user and multiple sclerosis (MS) patient John Ray Wilson today, July 26, 2011. The court ruled that a medical/personal use exemption to the charge of “manufacturing” marijuana was not allowed.

Wilson originally faced 20 years in prison for growing 17 marijuana plants that he used to treat his MS. Superior Court Judge Robert Reed ruled during a pre-trial hearing in July 2009 that Wilson could not let the jury know that he has MS, or that his use of marijuana was an attempt to treat his disease. This ruling effectively removed Wilson’s only defense for his actions. Wilson was self-employed and had no health insurance. Wilson was convicted by a jury of a second degree charge and was sentenced to five years in prison by Judge Reed.

Dr. Denis Petro, a neurologist and expert witness for the defense, would have testified as to the medical benefits of marijuana for those afflicted with multiple sclerosis, but his testimony was barred by Judge Reed. The National MS Society confirmed in an Expert Opinion Paper in 2008 that standard therapies often provide inadequate relief for the symptoms of MS such as pain and spasticity, and that marijuana helps with these symptoms and could limit disease progression. “To know that a safe and inexpensive herb like marijuana is able to relieve the pain and spasticity of MS and to actually arrest the progression of this incurable disease is a compelling reason to use it therapeutically,” said Ken Wolski, RN, of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey (CMMNJ). “It is an outrage that Wilson will spend many years in the prison system for this, especially since the law in New Jersey now specifically protects MS patients who use medical marijuana.”

The "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act,” was signed into law in January, 2010 and went into effect in October 2010. The Medicinal Marijuana Program is not yet up and running in the state, though, due to a series of delays. The law will allow patients with an ID card issued by the Health Department to use marijuana when a licensed physician recommends it for a number of medical conditions including multiple sclerosis.

John Wilson’s father, Ray, said, “They want to put a sick person away. It’s not fair. It’s sad.” CMMNJ Board Member Ed Hannaman, Esq. said, “Our system diligently and punctiliously adheres to the fine points of the law while rejecting any sense of compassion, no less actual justice."

CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the public about the benefits of safe and legal access to medical marijuana. For more info, contact:

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org
219 Woodside Ave.
Trenton, NJ 08618
609) 394-2137
ohamkrw@aol.com