CMMNJ Agenda for Aug. 11, 2015 Public Meeting

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Twp. Library, Rm. #3
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve July 2015 minutes. Discuss:

Support for Marijuana Legalization Reaches New High in NJ in Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll.

Asbury Park Resolution in support of legalizing marijuana passed unanimously by city council and mayor on 7/8/15.  Now on to 564 other NJ municipalities.

A4587—Requires schools to permit medical marijuana use by qualifying patients.  Introduced on 6/22/15, passed the Assembly on 6/25; passed the Senate on 6/29; awaits action by Gov. Christie.
Await response to Barbour lawsuit against LARC School & Maple Shade BOE (hearing 6/25).

NJ State Senate support sought for bills that were OK’d by the Assembly: A-3726/S2898 – OK’s medical marijuana for PTSD; A-4286/S2899 - OKs transfer of marijuana between ATCs; CR224/SCR166 - Medical marijuana regulations are inconsistent with legislative intent.

“CMMNJ TV”—taping canceled 7/23: Next taping: August 18, 2015, noon to 4 pm.

Weekly Statehouse Podcasts: see Facebook “Friends of CMMNJ” and SativaCross.com for details.

CMMNJ Patient Handbook 2015—no reply from DOH to 6/9 letter re: handbooks in ATCs.

Upcoming Events:
Asbury Park Event Sept. 11, 12 & 13 by Roland Ramos & Sara Sensimilla.
Septemberfest application in for 9/6 (rain date 9/13) await approval by Hamilton Twp.
Boston Freedom Rally 9/26 (noon to 8) & 9/27/ (noon to 6) CMMNJ application sent.
Trial of Jon Peditto, Toms River; jury selection 10/19/15; jury nullification trial 10/20/15.

Recent events:
Weed & Greet Summer BBQ at NJWeedman’s “Joint” 8/1/15.
Hemp Heals, Philly, 7/31/15.

Treasury report: Checking: $2777; PayPal: $3772.

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 
July 14, 2015

Asbury Park Resolution in support of legalizing marijuana was passed unanimously by city council and mayor on 7/8/15.  Now on to 564 other NJ municipalities!  See blog, below.

A4587—Requires schools to permit 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.  (If CC signs, Ed gives CMMNJ $10; Nick owes Miller $5.)

F/U with head of Senate Health Committee re: 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.

Print source for NORML’s “Emerging Clinical Applications’ booklet or put it on flash drives?

NJWeedman’s Joint Resolution by NJ Legislature in support of his Tenton restaurant & temple.

“CMMNJ TV”—taping 7/23 canceled; next taping 8/18, noon to 4 pm. Guests?

Weekly Statehouse Podcasts: see Facebook “Friends of CMMNJ” for photos and details.

CMMNJ Patient Handbook 2015--OK to put handbooks in ATCs? Letter to DOH to have Handbooks in ATC’s went out 6/9/15—over 60 days.

Smoke Down Prohibition 2.0: The Return, 7/10, Love Park, Philly, very successful; no arrests.
Slightly Stoopid, Stone Pony, Asbury Park, 7/11, with Ken, Eric & Amanda--$500 to CMMNJ.

Upcoming Events: Trial of Jon Peditto, Toms River; 8/3/15; jury nullification attempt.
Fundraiser for CMMNJ? CMMNJ needs to participate in more community events to raise funds and to collect more email addresses.

PA Medical Marijuana bill discussed along with opposition by PA Medical Society.

Jessie Sanders case in South Jersey discussed along with letter of support.

Treasury report: Checking: $2277; PayPal: $3258.

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

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Support for Marijuana Legalization Reaches New High in NJ in Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll
http://publicmind.fdu.edu/2015/150731/

Resolution in support of legalizing, taxing and regulating marijuana for adults in New Jersey
http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2015/07/resolution-in-support-of-legalizing.html

NJ Weedman: Reefer Robberies — I salute the real 420 dealers
http://www.trentonian.com/opinion/20150802/nj-weedman-reefer-robberies-x2014-i-salute-the-real-420-dealers

Oh Hell Yes Smokedown Prohibition 2.0
http://phillydeclaration.org/2015/07/02/oh-hell-yes-smokedown-prohibition-2-0/

VIDEO: Weedney Houston Performs Throughout Gayborhood
http://www.phillymag.com/g-philly/2015/07/07/video-weedney-houston-performs-throughout-gayborhood/#more-2980904

10 Ways to Be a Responsible Cannabis User
http://greenflowermedia.com/article/10-ways-to-be-a-responsible-cannabis-user/

1 Statistic that demonstrates why the marijuana movement is so powerful
http://www.foxbusiness.com/investing/2015/08/02/1-statistic-that-demonstrates-why-marijuana-movement-is-so-powerful/

Pro-pot rally lights up in LOVE Park in Philly at 4:20 p.m. (VIDEO)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/07/love_park_rally_to_support_marijuana_decriminaliza.html

Philly420: Taxing Pa. medical marijuana the wrong approach
http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/philly420/Philly420_Taxing_Pa_medical_marijuana_the_wrong_approach.html#i5fIlcVp0CzGKtmo.99

How ‘Medical’ Is Marijuana?
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/21/upshot/is-there-anything-actually-medical-about-medical-marijuana.html?emc=edit_tnt_20150720&nlid=17961243&tntemail0=y&_r=0&abt=0002&abg=1

What I Learned at the Weed Dispensary
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/opinion/what-i-learned-at-the-weed-dispensary.html?emc=edit_tnt_20150728&nlid=17961243&tntemail0=y

New York Senator Schumer Co-Sponsors Federal Medical Marijuana Legislation
http://www.theweedblog.com/new-york-senator-schumer-co-sponsors-federal-medical-marijuana-legislation/

New York State Awards 5 Medical Marijuana Licenses
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/01/nyregion/new-york-state-awards-5-medical-marijuana-licenses.html?emc=edit_tnt_20150731&nlid=17961243&tntemail0=y

Support for legalized pot in NJ reaches new highs
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/support-for-legalized-pot-in-nj-reaches-new-highs/article_d5ffe68e-3773-11e5-a348-2f41f1948875.html

'Don't Let My Daughter Die, Governor!' Drug Warrior Chris Christie Promises to Escalate the War on Weed
https://reason.com/blog/2015/08/01/chris-christie-medical-marijuana-child

The Scientist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csbJnBKqwIw

Chris Christie To Overturn Marijuana Legalization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtHWAnm01b4

NJ Gov. Christie Allows Medical Marijuana, Regulations Still Need Work

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July, 20, 2011
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ)
www.cmmnj.org

Gov. Christie Allows Medical Marijuana, Regulations Still Need Work

Trenton - NJ Governor Chris Christie held a press conference on July 19, 2011 to address the status of the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. He has decided to reverse his suspension of the program and allow six Alternative Treatment Centers to move ahead with their operations.

After discussing the various intersections or conflicts between state and federal laws Christie said, “I have instructed the Commissioner of Health to move forward as expeditiously as possible to implement the [program].”

VIDEO: http://www.livestream.com/governorchrischristie/video?clipId=pla_a1a6bf2e-1630-4282-bb87-f28f93e72f9a&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb

"We are happy that the governor is moving forward with the medicinal marijuana program," said Ken Wolski, a registered nurse and executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ). "Patients have suffered too long waiting for this," said Wolski, "In thousands of cases patients in NJ have already died without the improvement in quality of life and relief of suffering that marijuana can bring."

CMMNJ remains focused on a final set of rules for the program that will be workable. "We still have a number of concerns about the regulations put out by the DHSS for this program," Wolski said, "The physician registry is unnecessary and will disqualify numerous patients. Plus the cap on THC level is arbitrary and home delivery is not being permitted. These are all roadblocks to patient access that we hope the Christie Administration will reconsider."

Some of the ATCs have expressed the same concerns. http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/03/07/nj-to-hold-hearing-on-medical-marijuana-rules/

Seriously ill New Jersey residents who would qualify under the law expressed surprise and measured hope at the governor's change in rhetoric.

Jay Lassiter lives with HIV and has testified for better regulations in Trenton, "This is a small step in the right direction for New Jersey and I'm glad that Governor Christie has finally discovered a sense of urgency to help New Jersey residents with cancer and AIDS. I look forward to the day when I won't be a criminal just for taking medical cannabis."

Charles Kwiatkowski, a father of three, lives with multiple sclerosis and has been one of the most visible patient advocates in New Jersey. "It's good and bad...all the restrictions," Kwiatkowski said today. "But, I'll believe it when I see it. So far it has been a really long, painful wait."

MEDIA NOTE- Wolski, Lassiter and Kwiatkowski are available to the press. CONTACT: Ken Wolski 609 394 2137 or Chris Goldstein 267 702 3731media@cmmnj.org

NJ DHSS starts marijuana registry for doctors

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) launched the physician registry for the Medial Marijuana Program today. No other state with a medical cannabis access law has this requirement.

https://njmmp.nj.gov/njmmp/

CMMNJ press release below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey CMMNJ
www.cmmnj.org

CONTACT: Ken Wolski or Chris Goldstein 609 394 2137 media@cmmnj.org

NJ DHSS starts doctor registry for marijuana

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) launched the physician registry for the Medical Marijuana Program today. No other state has this requirement. The details emerged in draft regulations DHSS released earlier this month.

LINK https://njmmp.nj.gov/njmmp/

Ken Wolski is a Registered Nurse and the executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey. He issued the following statement today:

"The entire physician registration program is unnecessary and was created in the draft regulations from DHSS and not the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The law only calls for a patient registry, not a physician registry.

The DHSS says that there will be a public comment period on the draft regulations after they are published in the NJ Register in November. This new registry has no input from patients, legislators or the public.

Moreover, the physician registration program is even more limiting. A new requirement says that physicians must certify that they have completed medical education in Addiction Medicine and Pain Management within the past two years. Physicians must include the course title that covers these two areas, or they will be rejected from the registry.

This is a curious add-on. Marijuana is approximately as addictive as caffeine. Physicians should not be required to take a course in addiction medicine for recommending a substance with documented low addiction potential.

The physician, as part of the registry process, must further certify that the patient has not responded to conventional medical treatment for all qualifying conditions. This goes far beyond the law, which currently requires only a few diagnoses to be resistant to conventional treatment.

The physician is also required to attest that; 'I have provided education for the patient on the lack of scientific consensus for the use of medical marijuana.' This is a blatantly political statement, at odds with the law itself, and shows open hostility to the use of marijuana as medicine.

Finally, it appears that DHSS has also added a new Debilitating Medical Condition to the list that will qualify for medical marijuana. 'Agitation due to Alzheimer's Disease' is now included, arbitrarily, with no public comment.

While it is entirely appropriate to add this condition, it is entirely inappropriate to stop there. Why must tens of thousands of chronic pain patients wait a minimum of two years to be included in NJ's law, when the DHSS clearly has the power to add qualifying conditions so easily?”

CMMNJ is holding a Patient Advisory Group meeting at the Collingswood Public library at 7:00PM on Wednesday October 27th.

More information at www.cmmnj.org

CONTACT: Ken Wolski or Chris Goldstein 609 394 2137 media@cmmnj.org

Governor's big medical marijuana concept is unworkable

Governor's big medical marijuana concept is unworkable

By Chris Goldstein 6/19/2010

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and DHSS Commissioner Dr. Poonam Alaigh have all kinds of ideas about medical marijuana. Proposed amendments, looking to be passed as last-minute legislation next week, would completely re-invent New Jersey’s medical cannabis program to their design.

Governor Christie’s administration has kept a closed-door on recent discussions to alter The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The bill took five years to pass and resulted in the nation’s strictest language for legal therapeutic cannabis use.

Potential patients, advocates and the public have been left out of plans to make changes to the hard-won law. The result is a set of proposals that would effectively doom the program to fail, before it goes into effect.

Once again ill patients could be left with only the underground market for access to cannabis for therapeutic use.

READ FULL ARTICLE

More about medical marijuana in New Jersey at www.cmmnj.org

Read the full text of NJ's medical marijuana law http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/307_.HTM

Final version of NJ medical marijuana law published

Read the final version of the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act

http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/307_.HTM

Media coverage of CMMNJ/NORMLNJ press conference

By - Diane Fornbacher : CMMNJ Advisory Board

On Friday 6/4/2010, the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey and NORML New Jersey had a press conference regarding our governor's desire to change the law and get an extension on implementing the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.

Our team included Anne Davis from NORMLNJ, Ken Wolski RN the Exec director of CMMNJ, Jim Miller of CMMNJ, Attorney William Buckman of NORMLNJ, CMMNJ Board member Peter Rosenfeld, Chris Goldstein from CMMNJ/ NORMLNJ/PhillyNORML along with dozens of patients and supporters. It was one of the best press conferences/rallies I have ever attended.

Here are some links to the coverage we received from the conference on the NJ Statehouse steps:

Star Ledger (nj.com): http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/legal_medical_marijuana_advoca.html

WHYY: http://whyy.org/cms/news/government-politics/2010/06/04/delay-for-medical-pot-in-new-jersey/39595

NJN (public tv/radio): http://www.njn.net/television/webcast/njnnews/friday.html

NBC New York: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/NJs-New-Medical-Marijuana-Law-in-Limbo-95634059.html

More stories are trickling in so if you want, please check the CMMNJ blog periodically at: http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/

I also have a photo set on facebook, which can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=62462971150&ref=ts#!/album.php?aid=216869&id=687188618&ref=pb

Victory will be ours and the patients will get their medicine.

Best,
Diane

Seton Hall Center for Health & Pharm Law Supports NJ Medical Marijuana Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE by CMMNJ

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


Seton Hall Center for Health & Pharm Law Supports NJ Medical Marijuana Act


WHO: Seton Hall University School of Law Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law & Policy

WHAT: Published support for the “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act”

WHEN: August 26, 2009

WHERE: A Position Paper in HEALTH REFORM WATCH available at: http://www.healthreformwatch.com/2009/08/26/position-paper-in-support-of-the-new-jersey-compassionate-use-medical-marijuana-act/

WHY: Because the legislation has been carefully drafted to allow New Jersey residents with debilitating medical conditions access to marijuana to ease their suffering without creating an undue risk of abuse or diversion.


The Seton Hall University Center for Health & Pharmaceutical Law & Policy published a Position Paper today that supports the passage of the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The Center said that the legislation has been carefully drafted to allow New Jersey residents with debilitating medical conditions access to marijuana to ease their suffering without creating an undue risk of abuse or diversion.

The Center cited available medical evidence that supports the use of marijuana to treat each of the debilitating medical conditions set forth in the Act: AIDS/HIV; cachexia (wasting syndrome); cancer; glaucoma; severe and persistent muscle spasms; severe nausea; severe or chronic pain; and seizures.


The Seaton Hall Center also addressed the issues of abuse and diversion. They noted that no state that has passed a medical marijuana law has subsequently experienced an increase in recreational marijuana use among its children and youth. The Act’s multiple safeguards against abuse and diversion of medical marijuana provide further reassurance, it noted. If passed, the Act would be among the most restrictive of all the states’ medical marijuana laws.

Thirteen states, covering about 25% of the U.S. population, currently have medical marijuana programs.

On February 23, the New Jersey Senate voted 22-16 to pass S119, the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The Assembly health committee voted 8-1 to pass an amended version of the bill on June 4. The bill must now pass the full Assembly. If the amended bill clears the Assembly, it would return to the Senate for a second vote because of the changes before it goes to Gov. Jon Corzine (D), who has said that he will sign the bill if it makes it to his desk.

The mission of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is to educate the public about the benefits of safe and legal access to medical marijuana. The Coalition is grateful for this well-researched and well-written Position Paper. For more info, contact:

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA, Executive Director

Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. www.cmmnj.org
844 Spruce St., Trenton, NJ 08648
609.394.2137

Patients Arrested: NJ Needs Medical Marijuana Law Passed

Patients Being Arrested: NJ Needs Medical Marijuana Law Passed

Chris Goldstein and Ken Wolski


We at CMMNJ and other advocates for medical marijuana speak about the patients who need this therapy so desperately. Many patients are waiting in pain for this bill to pass and refuse to engage in the underground marijuana market, fearing the legal sanctions if they are caught.

Some New Jersey patients, already forced into the underground market by the lack of a legal program, are being hauled to jail and threatened with decades of prison time for choosing a medicine that is already legal in 13 states.

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana in New Jersey hears directly from these patients when they are arrested. These cases highlight the pressing and immediate need to have the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act passed by the state Assembly this year, in 2009. These suffering individuals should not have to wait for the legal protections and freedom of treatment afforded to millions of other Americans.


MS Patient in Somerville
“New Jersey multiple sclerosis (MS) patient John Ray Wilson, 36, was told by Superior Court Judge Robert Reed during a pre-trial hearing in Somerville, NJ that he faces 35 years in prison for growing a few marijuana plants that he used to treat his MS. Wilson was arrested on August 18, 2008 after the New Jersey State Police Marijuana Eradication Squad found his garden. Wilson was charged with “manufacturing” marijuana, despite his diagnosis of MS, despite a statement in support of medical marijuana by the National MS Society, and despite pending legislation that would protect MS patients who use medical marijuana in New Jersey.” –from CMMNJ


Crohn’s Patient in Jackson
“ Mike and Marie Miceli of Jackson, NJ are some of the latest victims of a law that desperately needs to change. The New Jersey man who used medical marijuana as a last-resort treatment was arrested recently; his wife was also charged with a marijuana offense and the Division of Youth and Family Services seized their infant son. Mike has Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel condition that was diagnosed over ten years ago. He has constant diarrhea, nausea, absolutely no appetite and severe abdominal cramping. He takes a host of prescribed medications that are either ineffective or have intolerable side effects. On Thursday morning, September 4, 2008, the day of his arrest, he weighed 197 pounds. Two days later he had already lost nine pounds. He was wasting away and in severe pain. He has since endured prolonged hospitalization and major abdominal surgery. The arrest for his use of medical marijuana may turn out to be a death sentence for Mike Miceli.” –from CMMNJ


CA medical patient attends NJ Funeral, gets arrested
“Issac Jacobs (name changed by request) is a 55-year-old card-carrying medical marijuana patient from California. He has a recommendation from his physician to use marijuana for his serious medical condition. Recently, he flew to New Jersey to attend a funeral. While in a Costco parking lot here, he was found by police to be in possession of two marijuana cigarettes, or joints. He showed the police his medical marijuana card, issued by his county government in California. Instead of being let go, as he expected, he was detained, and his car was surrounded and searched by narcotics officers and dogs. He said he was treated like a major drug smuggler, and was told he faces mandatory jail time. He called me up to tell me his story and to ask if it was true that he was going to jail. Nonviolent drug offenders take up about one-third of all the prison beds in New Jersey, the highest proportion in the country. Mr. Jacobs was referred to a New Brunswick, NJ lawyer who is very experienced with marijuana cases. “–from CMMNJ


The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act would offer legal protections to each of these individuals for their individual cases of medical cannabis use, possession, cultivation and holding a registry card from California.


All of these issues are clearly addressed in A804 and legal protections would shelter patients upon apssage of the bill.
______________________________________________________


Ken Wolski, co-founder of CMMNJ, is a registered nurse and long serving medical marijuana advocate. Wolski had this to say about these cases:

WOLSKI: “For just a single marijuana joint or a few marijuana seeds, the jail sentence medical patients face from a municipal court in New Jersey can be as much as six months. New Jersey also imposes a mandatory $500.00 penalty, and the law allows discretionary fines in addition to this. There are other penalties that are imposed on anyone in New Jersey found guilty of marijuana possession—even legitimate patients who are using marijuana under a doctor’s recommendation. According to the Center for Cognitive Liberty (www.cognitiveliberty.org), there are ranges of "collateral sanctions" that are triggered by a conviction for marijuana possession, even misdemeanor possession of less than 50 grams.

New Jersey imposes some of the most severe collateral sanctions in the nation on marijuana offenders. For example:

- private employers may deny employment based on conviction or arrests

- state and federal educational aid is denied by the Higher Education Act drug provision

- there is a 3-year ban from Public Housing; Ø there is a 5-year ban from adopting a child or becoming a Foster Parent

- there is a lifetime prohibition on possession of any firearm

- the driver's license may be suspended for six months to two years, even if the offense had nothing to do with a motor vehicle

- the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits may suspend hard-earned pension benefits due to incarceration.

As a result of these penalties, many marijuana offenders are surprised to find that the sentence actually imposed by the judge is less severe than the long-lasting social and legal consequences that follow from conviction, the Center for Cognitive Liberty said.

In short, then, New Jersey is prepared to throw patients in jail, fine them, deny these individuals employment, deny housing, deny transportation, deny education, deny income and deny parental rights...all for following the advice of their physicians.


If anyone still wonders if medical marijuana patients really get arrested in New Jersey, just ask these patients. I have heard from many many more. The excesses of this system are wretched indeed, and morally indefensible for legitimate medical marijuana patients to be treated in this manner."
________________________________________________________

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act is awaiting action by the Assembly Health Committee. Those in support of the bill are encouraged to contact their member of the Assembly and urge them to support A804.

Governor John Corzine has said he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

Opponents of medical access scoff at patients being arrested. But the reality is clear: the most vulnerable among us need these legal protections and marijuana access through a state authorized program right now and should not have to wait beyond the 2009 New Jersey Legisaltive Sessions.

More information at http://www.cmmnj.org/