CMMNJ December 14, 2021 Public Meeting Agenda

CMMNJ Monthly Meeting Agenda for December 14, 2021 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86051547719?pwd=RW5kT2VmNy9JbzJJMFAvQ0hIQzFlUT09

Meeting ID: 860 5154 7719

Passcode: 314195

Agenda: 

Congratulations to Phil Murphy on his reelection as governor of New Jersey. We can look forward to four more years of cannabis reform in our state.

In recognition of extraordinary service to our community, CMMNJ was awarded a 2021 NJ State Governor's Jefferson Award in the Volunteer Group category. Honorees achieve measurable community impact and represent outstanding acts of public service, without the expectation of recognition or compensations. Recipients demonstrate unique vision, dedication and tenacity of heroic proportion and serve as inspiration for others. 

Thank you to the Board and to all the CMMNJ volunteers who made this possible.

Insurance coverage bills for medical cannabis: 

Judith Schmidt, the CEO of the NJ State Nurses Association/Institute for Nursing said on 11/24/21 that the NJSNA Board supports the following bills: 

S3799/A5760: Medical cannabis costs to be reimbursed by Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program, Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, and Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971. Both bills advanced through Senate & Assembly Health Committees and were referred to Budget and Appropriations Committees. Take action with NORML!

A1708/S3406: Requires workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis. Passed in Assembly Committees; in Senate Commerce Committee. Take action with NORML!

When passed into law, these bills will reduce healthcare costs in the state. Cannabis stabilizes multiple conditions in individuals. Greater access to cannabis therapy will result in fewer hospitalizations, fewer surgical procedures, and fewer emergency room visits.

NJ has among the highest prices in the country, an ounce of medical marijuana costs up to $500. In Michigan, an ounce costs about $265.

Home cultivation for patients:

A5363/S3420 legalizes cultivation of eight medical cannabis plants.

S3407/A5435 legalizes cultivation of six plants for any NJ adult. 

S3582/A5552 legalizes cultivation of six plants for personal use, and 10 plants for medical use, by adults.

Sign the petition: Let Patients Grow NJ; Website: Let Patients Grow NJ #JeffsLaw.

This issue will be tackled in NJ's next legislative session rather than in the lame duck session.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC): 

The CRC announced it would open the application process to marijuana growers, processors and testing labs on Dec. 15. It will open applications for dispensaries on March 15. There are no deadlines to file applications; the CRC will accept them on a rolling basis. Cultivation licenses have a cap of 37 new licenses between Feb. 2021 and Feb. 2023.

The CRC also discussed how to handle the sales of edibles that resemble food – and how to make sure that if they do allow it, the items sold will be safe. Ken Wolski said the amount and type of marijuana needed for therapeutic reasons is highly individualized and that anything a patient needs should be available to them.

“Any form of edibles should be permitted as long as the regulatory procedures are followed. There should be no arbitrary exclusions placed on cannabis products,” Wolski said. “Public safety can be improved not by banning edibles and other high-potency products but by regulating the use of these products.”

NJ CRC Releases Webinar on Adult-use Cannabis License Applications

Upcoming CRC Meeting: December 7, 2021 at 6p.m. Register to speak here, Deadline to register to speak will be December 7 at noon. You may also submit comments in writing to the Commission here. 

National: 

Five myths about marijuana

NOVA DOES CANNABIS

Upcoming Events: 

CMMNJ's table at the New Brunswick train station. Volunteers needed to help, mornings Mon., Tues., and Wed. through December.

Recent Events: 

Annual Thanksgiving Giveaway, State House, Trenton. 

NJ Cannabis Insider: Career Fair & Business Expo Nov. 17 at Stockton U.

Treasury report: 

Checking: $10,885; PayPal: $944. 

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

CMMNJ's GivingTuesday fundraiser raised $130. Many thanks to all who donated!

Hemp wristbands are available, including wholesale prices. Will your store or dispensary display our colorful, all-hemp bracelets, so patrons can make donations to CMMNJ? We are deeply grateful for all support.

More info: 

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

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

Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey: http://www.cmmnj.org 

Twitter: @CMM_NJ

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

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

NJSNA Supports Insurance Bills for Medical Cannabis

NJSNA Supports Insurance Bills for Medical Cannabis

Judith Schmidt, the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey State Nurses Association/Institute for Nursing (NJSNA/IFN) said today that the NJSNA Board supports the following bills to provide insurance coverage for medical cannabis: 

S3799/A5760: Medical cannabis costs to be reimbursed by Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program, Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, and Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971; and, 

A1708/S3406: Requires workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis. 

These bills are currently advancing through Senate and Assembly committees. New Jersey has some of the most expensive medical cannabis in the country, with an ounce of premium buds costing between $400-$500. This makes the medical benefits of cannabis unavailable to many residents who have been impoverished by their illnesses or injuries. We urge New Jersey legislators to support these inroads into insurance coverage, so that the poor can also have access to the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.

When passed into law, these bills will reduce healthcare costs in the state. Cannabis stabilizes multiple conditions in individuals. Greater access to cannabis therapy will result in fewer hospitalizations, fewer surgical procedures, and fewer emergency room visits. Please join with the NJSNA/IFN in support of these bills.

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc.
219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618
609.394.2137 ohamkrw@aol.com

November 24, 2021

Medical marijuana should be covered by health insurance. What’s the hold up?

 

By Ken Wolski, RN, MPA, executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey, Inc. 

Marijuana is currently recognized as safe and effective for the treatment of many diseases, symptoms, and conditions in 36 states and the District of Columbia.

It is true that medical marijuana is not FDA-approved, but this is because such approval is impossible. Marijuana, or cannabis, may well be the most researched drug in history. A PubMed.gov search of “cannabinoids” yields nearly 30,000 results.

The cannabis studies that cannot get done in America are the very studies that would lead to FDA approval — large-scale clinical trials. The only legal source of cannabis for these clinical trials is the federal government’s farm at the University of Mississippi. A court case determined that the federal government never had an adequate supply of cannabis to conduct large scale clinical trials. Moreover, the federal government generally approves research into the harms of cannabis, not its benefits. Federal police — the DEA — enforce this perversion of science.

Moreover, FDA approval is no guarantee of drug safety. People die every day from FDA approved drugs, while no one has ever died from an overdose of marijuana.

After five years of rigorous study and testimony at numerous hearings, in 2010 the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act became law.

Medical marijuana has been legally available for purchase here since 2012. Currently, there are nearly 120,000 patients in the state’s program, with 20 Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) serving this population.

The cannabis that is available for patients is organically grown, with no possibility of it being contaminated by heavy metals or pesticides. The product is laboratory tested and the contents are accurately labelled so consumers know exactly what percentage of cannabinoids they have.

Knowledgeable employees of the ATCs are available to explain what consumers can expect from the different strains of cannabis. A periodically renewed recommendation by a licensed physician is required before purchase.

The ATCs are more strictly regulated than full-service pharmacies. Cameras monitor all activity in the ATCs, and redundant security systems are in place. The problem is that the consumer pays for this strict regulation. New Jersey has some of the most expensive medical cannabis in the country, with an ounce of premium buds costing between $400-$500. This makes the medical benefits of cannabis unavailable to many residents who have been impoverished by their illnesses or injuries.

The real question is, how do we best make medical cannabis available to patients who can benefit from it?

The New Jersey Supreme Court recently ruled that an individual in a Worker’s Compensation case should be reimbursed for the cost of medical cannabis associated with treatment of his work-related injury. This is a good first step.

Lawmakers have recently introduced bills to provide for some insurance coverage:

S3799/A5760 allows the costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program, Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, and Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971 (VCCO).

A1708/S3406 requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances.

These bills are currently advancing through Senate and Assembly committees. Urge your state legislators to support these inroads into insurance coverage, so that the poor in New Jersey can also have access to the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.

Published in NJ Cannabis Insider, Sept. 16, 2021

https://www.nj.com/cannabis-insider/2021/09/issue-181-high-priorities.html?fbclid=IwAR0VPZLZetCdNBEBNdjd2vhaxKorzesQM-cccfE18WTgKbr4QC0F3JhJd7k

CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for October 12, 2021, 7 pm

 

CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for Oct. 12, 2021, 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89964593716?pwd=bVozMGY0SlliNk1hbGlrMXNrN1B0Zz09

Meeting ID: 899 6459 3716

Passcode: 364813

New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana/Cannabis Program: 

Insurance coverage for medical cannabis: 

Op Ed: Medical marijuana should be covered by health insurance. What’s the hold up?

S3799/A5760: Medical cannabis costs to be reimbursed by Senior Gold Prescription Discount Program, Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, and Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971. Both bills advanced through Senate & Assembly Health Committees and were referred to Budget and Appropriations Committees. 

Take action with NORML!

A1708/S3406: Requires workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis. Passed in Assembly Committees; in Senate Commerce Committee. 

Take action with NORML!

Home cultivation for patients:

A5363/S3420 legalizes cultivation of eight medical cannabis plants.

S3407/A5435 legalizes cultivation of six plants for any NJ adult. 

S3582/A5552 legalizes cultivation of six plants for personal use, and 10 plants for medical use.

Sign the petition: Let Patients Grow NJ; Website: Let Patients Grow NJ #JeffsLaw.

Lawmakers must smarten up on cannabis: A Home Grow Q&A with Sen. Gopal

NJ Office of Legislative Services (OLS): “There is currently no scheduled return for the legislature, but they will most likely return around October/November.” 

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC): 

Summary of the CRC’s Initial Rules for the Personal-Use of Cannabis

The CRC Recreational Cannabis Statewide Webinar, October 13, 7-9pm.

Upcoming CRC Meetings:

October 15, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.

November 9, 2021 at 6 p.m.

December 7, 2021 at 6 p.m.

The CRC will examine distribution and delivery service businesses and prepare a Request for Application (RFA) process, to be published in NJ Register. Applications will have priority review, scoring, and approval for Social Equity Businesses, Diversely Owned Businesses, and Impact Zone Businesses. Social Equity Businesses are based on either economic need or having a criminal record from past marijuana-related offenses.

The six kinds of personal-use cannabis business licenses that will be available:

1. Cultivator

2. Manufacturer

3. Distributor

4. Delivery

5. Retailer

6. Wholesaler

Still no word on the 24 winning ATC applicants (5 cultivators, 15 dispensaries, and four vertical operators) from the 150 who applied in 2019.

National: 

On 9/29/21, the governor of California signed SB 311 (Ryan’s Law), a bill to require hospitals to permit medical marijuana use by certain patients.

The MORE ACT Repealing Cannabis Prohibition Passed the House Judiciary Committee. There is no companion bill in the Senate for the MORE Act; Senators plan to introduce the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.

The healthcare industry is moving toward a dramatically different future, where patient/consumer preferences are at the center of decision-making.

Upcoming Events: 

Cannademix: “Cannabis Conversations: Education, Equity, Sports, and Policy,” Middlesex College, 10/8/21, 3 to 9 p.m. Free. See: www.cannademix.com

American Cannabis Nurses Association (ACNA) Annual Conference! Oct. 17- 19, 2021, Albuquerque, NM, Register here!

Real Cannabis Entrepreneurs Oct. 15-16 Newark N.J. In-person or Virtual.

Minorities for Medical Marijuana: (M4MM) October Newsletter & Policy Update 

New Jersey CannaBusiness Association (NJCBA): Friday Lunch & Learn with cannabis industry leaders. Free. 10/8, Noon. 

Recent Events: 

SHORE GROW: It's a Family AF fair, Ocean, NJ, 9/25/21.

Weedstock, music festival to benefit DE NORML, Townsend, DE, 9/17-18.

NJ Cannabis Insider Live! all-day conference Sept. 23, Carteret Arts Center.

“Medical Marijuana” with Randi Goldberg’s “Straight Talk” 9/20/21.

NE CANN: New Jersey Cannabis Convention, Atlantic City, 10/2-3/21. 

Treasury report: 

Checking: $12,396; PayPal: $614. Make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal to info@cmmnj.org, or send a check to: CMMNJ, 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618.

For my 73rd birthday this year, I asked for donations to the Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey Inc. Many thanks to all who made generous (income-tax deductible) donations! You made turning 73 a little easier.

Hemp wristbands are available, including wholesale prices. Will your store or dispensary display our colorful, all-hemp bracelets, so patrons can make donations to CMMNJ? We are deeply grateful for all support.

More info: 

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

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

Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey: http://www.cmmnj.org 

Twitter: @CMM_NJ

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

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

CMMNJ Public Meeting Agenda for August 10, 2021

CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for August 10, 2021, at 7 pm 

Join Zoom Meeting: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81820276843?pwd=cWUvQ3hGSTJKVDR6eE43d0gvZ1RVdz09

Meeting ID: 818 2027 6843; Passcode: 654989

Agenda: 

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) meeting on 8/3/21 has been postponed. A new date will be announced. Register to speak here. Comments will be limited to 3 minutes per person; one individual to speak on behalf of a group.

Submit comments in writing to the CRC here to become part of the public record.

The CRC will adopt prioritized (not complete) regulations for the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (CREAMMA), by August 22, 2021. The regulations will govern licenses for cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, deliverers, and “microbusinesses” with 10 or fewer employees, and for minority, women, and disabled-veteran owned businesses. CRC meetings were held on 4/12, 4/22, 5/4, 6/1 & 6/13 and can be viewed here. 

Harvest 360: Adult-use licensing has State and municipal components: Application process overview.

NJ Medicinal Marijuana/Cannabis Program: 

Insurance coverage bills for medical cannabis:

S3799  Allows costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO. Advanced through Senate Health Committee, referred to Senate Budget Committee. Identical bill, A5760 advanced out of Assembly Health Committee; referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee.

A1708 Requires workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances. Passed in Assembly Committees; no action in Senate Commerce Committee (S3406). 

Op Eds: Opposition; and support: "Making case for cannabis to be covered by insurance for care of chronic pain."

Lawrence Twp., NJ to Allow Marijuana Businesses To Operate In Township

In NJ, about one in four municipalities have ordinances barring cannabis-related businesses, according to the state’s League of Municipalities.

"Hosting the cannabis industry in your community" by Ken Wolski, RN, MPA.

"Leo Bridgewater's Zoom Meeting" Leo and Jess Gonzales urge Trenton to opt in to the cannabis trade: Access Code: =WA%L5Qn

Curaleaf’s Bordentown ATC scheduled to open 8/13/21. 

Home cultivation for patients:

A5363/S3420 legalizes cultivation of eight medical cannabis plants.

S3407/A5435 legalizes cultivation of six plants for any NJ adult. 

S3582/A5552 legalizes cultivation of six plants for personal use, and 10 plants for medical use, by adults.

Sign the petition: Let Patients Grow NJ; Website: Let Patients Grow NJ #JeffsLaw.

“Sen. Singleton signing onto the bill is the right thing to do,” CMMNJ board member and long-time homegrow leader Jo Ann Zito said.

For Many Cannabis Consumers, "Home Is Where the Grow Is."

National: 

50-year war on drugs imprisoned millions of Black Americans.

Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) unveiled their new draft federal marijuana legalization bill on 7/14/21, with the majority leader admitting that “we don’t have the votes necessary at this point.”

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy: “When it comes to decriminalization, I don’t think that there is value to individuals or to society to lock people up for marijuana use.”

Tiki Barber Op-Ed: "It’s time for government to stop restricting scientific research into marijuana."

Upcoming Events: 

Cannabis Scientist Raphael Mechoulam’s 91st birthday is 11/5/21. He is one of the greatest cannabinoid researchers and is still at it in Hebrew University, Jerusalem. 

“Medical Marijuana” Princeton Senior Resource Center, 8/13/21, 11:45 – 1 pm.

American Cannabis Nurses Association: “Cancer and Cannabis in 2021” 8/26/21, 7 - 8 PM, one CEU. Non-Members: $15: CLICK HERE to Register

Profile of CMMNJ’s Ken Wolski in the Sept. Issue of Northeast Leaf Magazine.

NJ Cannabis Insider Fall Conference: Sept. 23

Recent Events: 

2021 Cannabis 100 Power List, a tribute to influential voices in NJ’s long battle to end cannabis prohibition. Seven CMMNJ Board members made the list along with former Board member, Chris Goldstein. Congratulations!

Why medical cannabis needs more nurses: Eloise Theisen, president of the American Cannabis Nurse Association.

NJ CANNABIS INDUSTRY INFO SESSION & JOB FAIR, RVCC, JULY 20 

DFCR Announces Dr. Bryon Adinoff as President

N.J. has dismissed 88K weed cases under new marijuana law. NJ estimates 360,000 cases are eligible. But as many as 1 million may have been arrested for marijuana possession in New Jersey since the early 1990s.

Treasury report: 

Checking: $9655; PayPal: $2,614. Make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal to info@cmmnj.org, or send a check to: CMMNJ, 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618. 

Hemp wristbands are available, including wholesale prices. Will your store or dispensary display our colorful, all-hemp bracelets, so patrons can make donations to CMMNJ? We are deeply grateful for all support.

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

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

Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey: http://www.cmmnj.org 

Twitter: @CMM_NJ

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

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

Should Health Insurance Cover Medical Marijuana?

10/30/2009 by Chris Goldstein

On October 19th the Ocean County College in Tom's River, NJ hosted a debate on medical marijuana. A professor of Social Science, Brad Young, moderated. The opposition was Terrence Farley, a former county prosecutor and the now head of the NJ Narcotics Task Force Commanders Assn. Farley is a vehement prohibitionist and we've sparred over this topic on television programs before.

I represented the Coalition for Medical Marijuana - New Jersey www.cmmnj.org

Neither of us saw the questions prior to the debate and this question was particularly interesting. As an added bonus you get to see me address some of the reefer madness we encounter locally.

Essentially, "Should medical marijuana be covered by health insurance."

Looking to see what started my rebuttal ? - watch the Previous Debate Segment.

So I pose the question to you all- Should medical cannabis be covered by health insurance?

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