Violence in Trenton can be greatly reduced by ending the War on Drugs

 

The Trentonian Election Notebook: 

Trenton needs to reassess response to drugs [KEN WOLSKI GUEST OPED]

By Ken Wolski | | Chairman, Trenton Cannabis Advisory Committee 

PUBLISHED: August 27, 2026 

The upcoming election in Trenton has raised significant questions about what the next mayor can do to prevent violence in New Jersey’s capital city.

There have been various proposals about reallocating police resources to better prevent, and respond to violence, including murders that occur near City Hall.

But the reality is that the most effective way to reduce violence in the inner cities is beyond the ability of any mayor. The State of New Jersey must step up and continue the progress we have made in ending the War on Drugs. When the Garden State legalized marijuana in 2021 we ended approximately 50% of the War on Drugs.

We did not eliminate black market marijuana, but we created a legal alternative that significantly reduced the violence associated with illegal sales of marijuana. When disputes arise in any illegal market there is no access to the court system to resolve these disputes–they must be settled on the streets. Prohibition is a failed policy that breeds violence and is ineffective at curtailing drug use.

Making drugs illegal only makes them more concentrated to avoid detection, and more dangerous. The relatively benign coca leaf becomes the dangerous crack cocaine dealt by violent black marketeers.

There were over 30,000 possession arrests a year in New Jersey before we legalized marijuana. These arrests and subsequent incarcerations only made it more difficult for the individuals involved to subsequently find honest work. These arrests also harmed the family and the community. When a child has a parent incarcerated it is an Adverse Childhood Event. Adverse Childhood Events make it more likely that the child will have a low socioeconomic status and be more prone to substance abuse and contact with the criminal justice system. Thus, the War on Drugs creates poverty, drug abuse, and violence.

New Jerseyans must realize that drug use is a health issue, not a criminal justice issue. There should be legal ways to purchase currently illegal drugs. In this way when an individual’s drug abuse becomes problematic it can be more easily identified and treated than it is now.

Currently illegal drugs are used for many reasons. These include treatment of mental, emotional and/or physical ailments. Some drugs are used to explore new vistas of human awareness and abilities. Drugs are also used in search of a guaranteed American right—the pursuit of happiness. The compelling reasons that drugs are used will never go away. The best we can do is reduce the harms that are associated with drug use.

Violence in Trenton can be greatly reduced by ending the War on Drugs since Ground Zero of this war is the inner city, like our own Trenton.

https://www.trentonian.com/2026/08/27/election-notebook-trenton-needs-to-reassess-response-to-drugs-ken-wolski-guest-oped/

Editor’s Note: The Trentonian’s Election Notebook is a collection of local political announcements and opinion pieces courtesy of the respective campaigns. To submit press releases, op-eds, letters, and photos, email the editor, John Berry, at jberry@Trentonian.com

CMMNJ Public Meeting for October 14, 2025

 

CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for October 14, 2025 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85059447736?pwd=mA5pyTa6z5Ctiv29vwVD0aQkIUFjs5.1

Meeting ID: 850 5944 7736
Passcode: 860564

One tap mobile

+13092053325,,85059447736#,,,,*860564# US

Join instructions: https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/85059447736/invitations?signature=_ioQCJlhpNmPDakhdnpl0e1_4NppoLwOv7eKPu3Eubw

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

Agenda: New Jersey Issues:

The NJ Governor candidates are Democrat Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) who is pro-cannabis, and Republican Jack Ciattarelli with more mixed views. Be sure to register to vote by October 14th, and vote on November 4th: Welcome to NJ Online Voter Registration website.

NECANN NJ 2025, the largest B2B cannabis convention on the East Coast, took place at the Atlantic City Convention Center on 9/5-6/2025. The event brought over 200 licensed operators, policy makers, investors, and advocates from NJ’s cannabis industry. Thanks to CMMNJ volunteers for helping at Booth 710!

Shore Grow Hydro hosted an event at their store in Oakhurst, NJ to raise money for CMMNJ on 8/16/25. “We’re focused on advocating for home cultivation rights, insurance coverage for medical cannabis, and hospital and institutional access,” Wolski said.

The Smoke Signal

SHOWCASING CANNABIS-POSITIVE RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES in South Jersey

TOKE OR TREAT IN THE GARDEN STATE

CMMNJ ad on page 5 of the October issue: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/October%202025.pdf

The “Health Fair” at the Center for Modern Aging Princeton featured CMMNJ’s presentation, “Seniors and Medical Marijuana” on 9/25/25. Ask The Green Nurse: Cannabis Nursing For Senior Care; Honoring the Aging Endocannabinoid System

Marvin’s Garden Dispensary is soon to open in A.C. and will honor our veterans. Contact: Barbie Simmons, Store Mgr., 417-224-8920, barbie@redoakeht.com

NJ Senator Scutari’s bill S4154, “Establishes crime of selling or purchasing marijuana from unlicensed businesses." Sign NORML's S4154 action alert. 

Let Advanced Practice Nurses Recommend Medical Cannabis: NORML Petition

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

Next meeting: December 11, 2025. Register to speak here by 12/9/25 at 5 p.m. Submit comments in writing by 12/12/25 at 5 p.m.

Watch on Zoom or on YouTube

Full recordings, slides of public meetings, and upcoming meeting dates are available on the CRC public meeting page.

CRC: Your guide to cannabis consumption areas

CRC Leadership CRC is down to three commissioners, Dianna Houenou, Amelia Mapp, and Krista G. Nash. Other leaders.

Medicinal Cannabis Program Participation (as of 9/15/2025)

• Total patients: 55,513
• Caregivers: 3,738
• Doctors: 1,549

NJ legal cannabis sales (medicinal and adults use) topped $1 billion in 2024.

Federal Drug Policy Reform:

More seniors are using cannabis than ever before to alleviate pain, insomnia, and other chronic conditions. Between 2021 and 2023, cannabis use among Americans aged 65 and older increased by 46%, according to a study in JAMA Internal Medicine.

An 800-patient study on back pain by a German drugmaker is the latest evidence of the therapeutic properties of cannabis, which remains illegal under U.S. federal law.

Upcoming events:

Department of Labor & Workforce Development NJ Cannabis Industry Partnership Program, Oct 7, 2025 06:30 PM, Zoom.

CMMNJ will table at Ewing Community Fest, at The College of New Jersey, Sat., October 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain or shine); Volunteers?

2nd Annual NYS Medical Cannabis Symposium: Cannabinoids in Clinical Practice
Hosted by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management & Northwell Health
Thursday, November 6 • 3:00-8:00 PM: Pre-Symposium Events
Friday, November 7 • 7:00-5:00 PM: Full Day Symposium
Uniondale, New York https://cannabis.ny.gov/symposium

Join ASA’s Fall 2025 Member Meeting, 10/8 at 8 pm, to review this year’s progress on key campaigns, share updates on ASA’s long-term strategic plan, and preview events ahead. This meeting is exclusive to ASA members. Become a member today: Donate $35 to become a member! [Check membership status here].

NJCBA: The Policy Pipeline, 10/21/25, 6-9 pm 144 W. State St., Trenton (fee)

Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC) 3rd Annual Medical Cannabis Conference,
Metropolitan State University of Denver, October 24– October 25. Guy speaking.

PhilaDelic, UPENN psychedelic conference, Jordan Medical Education Center, 3400 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104, 11/22/25, 9-6 pm. Free virtual tickets.

CMMNJ’s ongoing goals:

Insurance bills: Press release: NJSNA supports insurance for medicinal cannabis

·        S1944: Costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO.

·        S1943/A4371: Requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage.

·        A898/ S2828: Subsidize medical cannabis in Medicaid or NJ Family Care.

Home cultivation bills: Website: https://www.letpatientsgrownj.com/

Petition: End the Blockade on NJ Senate bill S1393; it has bipartisan co-sponsors, but no committee hearing scheduled yet. Sign NORML’s S1393 Action Alert.

·        S1393/A846: Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis.

·        S1985/A3867: Legalizes six plants for personal use and 10 plants for medical

Hospital and Institutional Access:

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

In 2023 CMMNJ endorsed psychedelic research and the safe use of psychedelics.  A3852/S2283 "Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act."

2025 Psychedelic Community Survey, a research project for the psychedelic community, by the psychedelic community. 

Treasury report: $9,420.

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

Make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal to info@cmmnj.org, or send a check to: CMMNJ, 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618

Or scan:

More info: 

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

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

Twitter/X: @CMM_NJ

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

CMMNJ website: https://cmmnj.org/

CMMNJ Awards:

2021: NJ Governor's Jefferson Award in the Volunteer Group category;

2023: NJ State Governor's Volunteerism Award in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Champion for Justice Category "for extraordinary service to your community;"

2023: Ken Wolski won a Lifetime Achievement award;

2023: NJ Senate and Assembly Joint Legislative Resolution affirmed CMMNJ's importance as a "catalyst for the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana in the State" and paid “tribute to all who have contributed to its success and renown.”

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

Dear Senate President Scutari,

I am writing to you with urgency on behalf of medical cannabis patients across New Jersey, regarding the petition “Legalize Medical Home Cultivation for NJ Patients Now!” which has already gathered nearly 900 signatures of support from patients, caregivers, and advocates statewide.

👉 View the petition here.

As you know, New Jersey was among the earliest states to enact medical cannabis reform, yet it remains one of the few without legal home cultivation. This gap leaves patients—many of whom live with cancer, chronic pain, PTSD, and other debilitating conditions—without fair, affordable, and reliable access to their medicine.

For patients on fixed incomes, dispensary prices are simply unsustainable. For those in rural or underserved areas, dispensaries are often inaccessible. And for immunocompromised patients, travel can be a serious health risk. Allowing limited, regulated home cultivation for registered patients and caregivers would address these inequities while aligning New Jersey with the majority of medical cannabis states.

Home grow is not about undermining the licensed dispensary system—it is about compassion, autonomy, and harm reduction. Just as patients can grow herbs for personal therapeutic use, medical cannabis patients should have the same right to cultivate a modest number of plants for their own treatment. States that allow medical home cultivation have not seen an increase in diversion or abuse. Instead, they have empowered patients to take control of their care in a safe, responsible, and cost-effective way.

The Legislature has already demonstrated compassion and foresight by legalizing adult-use cannabis. Surely, the patients who fought for medical access for over a decade deserve at least the same freedom and dignity.

I respectfully urge you to advance legislation this session that legalizes home cultivation for registered medical cannabis patients and their designated caregivers. This reform is long overdue and deeply needed by New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.

Thank you for your leadership and your consideration of this vital issue. I look forward to your response and to working together for a more just and compassionate cannabis policy in New Jersey.

Sincerely,

Mike Brennan

Board Member, Coalition for Medical Marijuana–New Jersey (CMMNJ)

Disabled Cancer Patient & Advocate

Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. 
99 E 2nd Street, #B3
Moorestown, NJ 08057

CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for July 8, 2025

 

CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for July 8, 2025 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81082081092?pwd=j6iS8mTI0dVIqpca57xwAcnDFjHJNQ.1
Meeting ID: 810 8208 1092
Passcode: 204774

One tap mobile:
+1(301) 715-8592 ID: 810 8208 1092# PASSCODE: *204774# 

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kUgsQJdVP

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

Agenda: New Jersey Issues:

The Primary Election to be the next NJ Governor was won on the Democratic side by Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), who is pro-cannabis, while the Republican winner, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, has more mixed views. They now face each other in the Tuesday, November 4^th election. Sherill has an “A” for her voting record in Congress from NORML. Sherrill has an early 20 point lead in a Rutgers/Eagleton poll, but the winner will be decided by who turns out to vote in November. Regardless of your candidate of choice, cannabis reformers are encouraged to register and vote in all elections.

NJ Senator Scutari’s bill S4154, “Establishes crime of selling or purchasing marijuana from unlicensed businesses." Comments sent to Senate Judiciary Committee: “The American way to deal with competition--undercut the prices of the black-market and put them out of business. This will allow the legal cannabis industry to thrive.” Sign NORML's S4154 action alert. 

Longtime cannabis advocate Chris Almada won the Democratic nomination to be the Dover 3^rd Ward Town Councilman in a primary upset last week.

Congratulations to Board member Mike Brennan for submitting letters to Jersey news media on per se THC DUI laws. He cites the unfairness and inaccuracy of basing evidence of impairment on urinalysis results of THC.

Intoxicating hemp-derived beverages like THC seltzer drinks sold in liquor stores are becoming increasingly popular. Made with less than 0.3% THC by weight, hemp seltzer drinks are 2018 Farm Bill compliant and 100% federally legal. The bill must be renewed soon since it expires in September.

Delta 8 THC “intoxicating hemp” regulation bills were rammed through the NJ legislature. The bills overwhelmingly passed the Assembly and State Senate.

Let Advanced Practice Nurses Recommend Medical Cannabis: NORML Petition

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

Next meeting: Thursday, July 15, 2025 will be virtual, at 11 a.m. Register to speak here by July 11th at 5 p.m. Submit comments in writing by July 17th at 5 p.m.

Watch on Zoom or on YouTube

CRC Commissioners Delgado and Del Cid Corso resigned; the CRC is down to three commissioners: Dianna Houenou, Amelia Mapp, and Krista G. Nash.

Introducing NJ-CRC's Cannabis Business News

The CRC began accepting applications for Cannabis Consumption Areas on January 2^nd from Social Equity and Economically Disadvantaged Area businesses only. On April 2^nd, micro and diversely owned, and on July 2^nd, from everyone else.

The Cannabis Training Academy (NJ CTA) provides education about the NJ cannabis industry history, the impact of cannabis prohibition, current laws and regulations, business and financial strategies, and the state licensing process.

Federal Drug Policy Reform:

Another broken promise: Trump is targeting states’ power over medical marijuana

Steph Sherer, Americans for Safe Access: More than six million Americans rely on state medical cannabis programs. But Trump’s FY 2026 budget proposal reveals not only the fragility of patient protections but also exposes Congress’s failure to fulfill its promise to medical cannabis patients.

NORML: Tell Congress: Don't Strip Medical Marijuana Protections From the Federal Budget

Delaware’s adult-use marijuana market will officially launch on August 1.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed HB 46 into law, making Texas the 40th medical cannabis state in the United States! Texas’ medical cannabis program remains very restrictive, but this is huge progress in a challenging legislature.

Psychedelic therapies promise to revolutionize how we treat mental challenges not only for Vets, but others in our society. We’ll continue to fight for our vets.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) said in an op-ed that he will "dedicate the rest of my life" to advocating for access to the psychedelic ibogaine.

People are using AI to 'sit' with them while they trip on psychedelics: Some believe chatbots like ChatGPT can provide an affordablealternative to in-person psychedelic-assisted therapy. Many experts say it's a bad idea. 

Retired boxer Mike Tyson told President Trump to reschedule, and ultimately legalize, marijuana on one of Trump’s most-watched TV networks: Fox News.

Doctors for Drug Policy Reform (D4DPR) is prioritizing cannabis regulation, the decriminalization and therapeutic use of psychedelics as well as overdose prevention centers.

Marijuana Industry Workers Are The Happiest In Any Job Sector In The U.S., Survey Finds Well, Duhh.

May was the 45th anniversary of the first congressional hearing on medical cannabis, the Task Force on Therapeutic Uses of Marihuana and Schedule I Drugs.

YOUR CANNABINOID RESEARCH LIBRARY: Stay up to date on the research on CBD, cannabis & the cannabinoids!

Ukraine legally imported medical marijuana products from Spain last month, aligning themselves with European healthcare.

Dana Beal’s GoFundMe for his trial expenses. More info at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp-kILfYSPk

Upcoming events: Cannademix, July 4^th weekend

Cannabis Patient Awareness Day, 7/10/25; NJ State House, 11:11am - 2pm;          Mad Hatter, 845 Rt. 1, Avenel, at 4:20 pm. 

MPP: National Cannabis Festival 2025, Washington, DC July 18-19, 2025.

NE CANN: Atlantic City Convention Center, 9/5-6/2025. CMMNJ will be at Booth #710. Andrea Raible is presenting (njhomegrow.com, safeleafsociety.com.)

Patients Out of Time: The 16th National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, From Prohibition to Recognition, in Charlottesville, VA, 9/14-16/2025. 

Psychedelic Conference, U. Penn, Nov. 15, 2025.

Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC) 3rd Annual Medical Cannabis Conference,
Metropolitan State University of Denver, October 24– October 25. Guy is speaking.

CMMNJ’s ongoing goals:

Insurance bills: Press release: NJSNA supports insurance for medicinal cannabis

·        S1944: Costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO.

·        S1943/A4371: Requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage.

·        A898/ S2828: Subsidize medical cannabis in Medicaid or NJ Family Care.

Home cultivation bills: Website: https://www.letpatientsgrownj.com/ Petition: End the Blockade on NJ Senate bill S1393; the bill has bipartisan co-sponsors, but no committee hearing has been scheduled yet. Sign NORML’s S1393 Action Alert.

·        S1393/A846: Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis.

·        S1985/A3867: Legalizes six plants for personal use and 10 plants for medical

Hospital and Institutional Access:

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

In 2023 CMMNJ endorsed psychedelic research and the safe use of psychedelics.  A3852/S2283 "Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act"

Treasury report: $9,060.

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

Make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal to info@cmmnj.org, or send a check to: CMMNJ, 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618

Or scan:

More info: 

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

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

Twitter/X: @CMM_NJ

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

CMMNJ website: https://cmmnj.org/

CMMNJ Awards:

2021: NJ Governor's Jefferson Award in the Volunteer Group category;

2023: NJ State Governor's Volunteerism Award in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Champion for Justice Category "for extraordinary service to your community;"

2023: Ken Wolski won a Lifetime Achievement award;

2023: NJ Senate and Assembly Joint Legislative Resolution affirmed CMMNJ's importance as a "catalyst for the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana in the State" and paid “tribute to all who have contributed to its success and renown.”

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