CMMNJ Public Meeting Agenda February 2014

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Township Library, Room #3
Tuesday, February 11, 2014, 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM 

Approve January 2014 minutes.  Discuss:

CMMNJ‘s Op Ed endorses legalization of marijuana in NJ to best meet patients’ needs.  State Senator Nicholas Scutari says he’ll introduce marijuana legalization legislation.

Appellate Court: DOH must produce MMP reports within 45 days (from 1/13/14). The Court rejected tort claims and complaints re: regulations.

S1220/A765: (medical marijuana equivalent to any other medicine; allows organ transplants) Passed Senate and Assembly; 1/21/2014 Pocket Veto – Bill died when not Acted on by Gov. Christie at end of Legislative Session.  A4537: (OOS ID cards and medical marijuana) Passed Assembly; Gov. Christie’s threatened veto stopped Senate hearing. Bills must be
reintroduced.

Upcoming Events: NORML NJ mtng. at Joe’s Mill Hill Saloon, Trenton, 2/10/14 at 7 pm.
Sentencing of Chris Goldstein & Don DeZarn: guilty in federal court of marijuana possession.
Joys of Hemp Expo, Embassy Suites Piscataway, NJ, 4/4 – 4/6.
ASA’s National Medical Cannabis Unity Conference, April 5 – 7th, Mayflower Hotel in D.C.
Patients Out of Time Conference, May 8 – 10, Portland, Oregon.

Recent events: Gov. Cuomo endorses medical marijuana in NY.
British TV meets CMMNJ.
Legislative hearing in Harrisburg, PA on medical marijuana bill, S 1182, on 1/28/14.

Treasury report: Checking: $3694; PayPal: $3707. Billboard campaign continues--Super Bowl?

CMMNJ's meetings are the second Tuesday of each month from 7 - 9 PM at the Lawrence Twp. Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Twp., Tel. 609.882.9246.  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, 
January 14, 2013

CMMNJ Board has endorsed legalization of marijuana in NJ due to dysfunction of MMP. Op Ed, Press Conference and possible March to DOH planned.

Jim Miller confronted Gov. Christie before the State of the State speech, letting him know we were NOT done expanding the Medicinal Marijuana Program, as the governor insists.  (The gov. was characterized as having a “pea brain clouded by fat in his head.”)

NJ’s Medicinal Marijuana Program: Marijuana is selling for about $400 an ounce at the ATC’s.  Quality problems persist from CCF in Egg Harbor.  The Appellate Court said on 1/13/14 that the DOH must produce the MMP reports required by the law. Other issues were rejected.

John Wilson nears the end of 2-years probation (inc. forced attendance at Narcotics Anonymous Mtngs.) following his incarceration, for treating his MS with home-grown marijuana.

Colleen Begley faces 5 years of probation for providing medical marijuana to patients.

Mike Whiter, veteran with PTSD, pled guilty to marijuana possession in federal court; fined.

The federal marijuana possession cases of Chris Goldstein and Don DeZarn are upcoming.

Await governor’s action on S1220: (medical marijuana is the equivalent of any other prescribed medication).  A4537: Gov. Christie threatens veto of A4537 which will permit NJ patients to possess medical marijuana obtained from other jurisdictions and recognize OOS ID cards.  Sabina Rose Joana died on Dec 2, 2013, a 15 month old NJ resident with Dravet Syndrome as her parents could not obtain high CBD medical marijuana for her.

Since CMMNJ's web site has greatly improved with regular updates from Jim Price, we should take every opportunity to promote our web site on all our posts. Great job, Jim.

“Joys of Hemp” Expo April 4-6, Piscataway.  Volunteers needed for CMMNJ booth.

NORMLNJ mtngs. resume 2nd Mon. of each month at Joe’s Mill Hill Saloon, Trenton, 7 pm.

Patients Out of Time Conference, May 8 – 10, Portland, Oregon.

Treasury report: Checking: $3789; PayPal: $3707. Billboard campaign continues.

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:

Opinion: N.J. should legalize, tax and regulate marijuana
http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2014/01/opinion_nj_should_legalize_tax.html

New Jersey Senator Announces Legislation to Legalize Cannabis
http://thejointblog.com/new-jersey-senator-announces-legislation-legalize-cannabis/

Poll: More in NJ want pot than online gambling
http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/24615710/poll-more-in-nj-want-pot-than-online-gambling?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

The case for legalizing recreational pot in NJ
http://www.msnbc.com/craig-melvin/watch/the-case-for-legal-recreational-pot-133768771740

Legally Medicating With Cannabis Around The SuperBowl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFNXwGgFfV0&feature=share

How New Jersey Treats Patients: A Tragedy, in One Act, and One Scene
http://www.ladybud.com/2014/01/14/how-new-jersey-treats-patients-a-tragedy-in-one-act-and-one-scene/

Pa. nurses group backs medical marijuana
http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-25/news/46567440_1_nurses-group-compassionate-use-medical-marijuana

Local debate over legalizing medical marijuana
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news%2Fspecial_reports&id=9418414

Medical marijuana hearing was historic for Pennsylvania Legislature
http://articles.mcall.com/2014-01-30/news/mc-pc-medical-marijuana-hearing-20140130_1_medical-use-marijuana-seizure

Legalized pot: NJ lawmaker says he will introduce bill
http://www.nj.com/union/index.ssf/2014/01/sen_scutari_wants_pot_legalized_in_nj.html#incart_river_default

Opinion: How America went to pot
http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2014/02/opinion_how_america_went_to_po.html

Retired Police Captain demolishes the War on Drugs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8yYJ_oV6xk&feature=youtu.be

New York set to legalise cannabis for medical use
http://www.itv.com/news/2014-01-08/new-york-set-to-legalise-cannabis-for-medicinal-use/

N.J. health department must produce progress report on medical marijuana program, court says
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/nj_health_department_must_produce_report_on_medical_marijuana_programs_progress_court_says.html

Amick: Medical marijuana pushes Gov. Chris Christie's most sensitive right-wing buttons
http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2014/01/amick_medical_marijuana_pushes.html

Cuomo and Marijuana
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/14/opinion/cuomo-and-marijuana.html?emc=edit_tnt_20140113&tntemail0=y&_r=0

Status Report on N.J. Pot Dispensaries Demanded
http://www.courthousenews.com/2014/01/14/64523.htm

PA Senate Law and Justice Committee schedules medical marijuana hearing
http://www.phillynorml.org/2014/01/16/pa-senate-law-justice-committee-schedules-medical-marijuana-hearing/

Reid Indicates His Support for Medical Marijuana
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/17/us/politics/reid-indicates-his-support-for-medical-marijuana.html?emc=edit_tnt_20140117&tntemail0=y

Legal impairment limit for marijuana not expected any time soon in New Jersey, Pennsylvania
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2014/01/legal_impairment_limit_for_mar.html

Dr. Jeffrey S. Pollack / Medical-marijuana program still suffering in N.J.
http://m.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/commentary/dr-jeffrey-s-pollack-medical-marijuana-program-still-suffering-in/article_1567a81e-730f-563f-8e5d-8df74fb92b85.html?mode=jqm

NJ’S MEDICINAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM FINALLY MOVING FORWARD
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/14/01/20/nj-s-medicinal-marijuana-program-finally-moving-forward/

Legal Marijuana Businesses Should Have Access to Banks, Holder Says
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/24/us/legal-marijuana-businesses-should-have-access-to-banks-holder-says.html?mc=edit_tnt_20140123&tntemail0=y

Grandfather becomes a protester for medical marijuana
http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-25/news/46567405_1_christie-legalization-vivian-wilson

NJ man in jail for marijuana allowed to leave once a month to go smoke
http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/Blog/2014/01/27/NJ-man-in-jail-for-marijuana-allowed-to-leave-once-a-month-to-go-smoke/9731390839670/#ixzz2sTiJOuu1

These 5 pro-marijuana billboards will surround the Super Bowl
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/01/super-bowl-billboards-advocating-marijuana/

NJ Weedman released from jail after judge reconsiders his sentence
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2014/01/nj_weedman_released_from_jail_after_judge_reconsiders_his_sentence.html

Medical Marijuana: A Patient-Driven Initiative
http://nurseinsider.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/news-ss.pdf

Pennsylvania, New Jersey mothers frustrated with medical marijuana options
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2014/02/hope_township_mother_frustrate.html

Now's the time to tax, regulate and legalize marijuana for personal use in New Jersey
http://www.politickernj.com/jrlassiter/71251/nows-time-tax-regulate-and-legalize-marijuana-personal-use-new-jersey

Poll: Four in 10 Support Legalizing Marijuana in NJ [AUDIO] |
http://nj1015.com/poll-four-in-10-support-legalizing-marijuana-in-nj-audio/?trackback=tsmclip

A medical marijuana growth industry? Niagara greenhouse hopes bumper crop is at end of Albany maze
http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/niagara-county/a-medical-marijuana-growth-industry-niagara-greenhouse-hopes-bumper-crop-is-at-end-of-albany-maze-20140203

Editorial: Don't let Weedman marijuana possession lessons go up in smoke
http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2014/02/editorial_dont_let_weedman_mar.html

Mixed Signals: The Administration’s Policy on Marijuana
http://oversight.house.gov/hearing/mixed-signals-administrations-policy-marijuana/

CMMNJ Monthly Public Meeting: November Agenda

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda

Lawrence Township Library

Tuesday, November 10, 2009; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

7:00 PM: Call meeting to order. Approve minutes.

Discuss:

- New governor in NJ, but will the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act pass into law before he takes office? The bill is due for a vote by the Assembly this fall. Tell your legislators that you want the Senate version of the bill to pass into law. This version does not contain the very restrictive changes to the bill that was released by the Assembly Health Committee. See CMMNJ’s recent blog for talking points—but tell your story in your own words. See what a conservative Republican lawmaker in NJ thinks about medical marijuana.

- Support multiple sclerosis (MS) patient John Wilson, who faces 20 years in prison for growing marijuana to treat his MS. Wilson was forbidden by the judge to even mention his medical condition during the upcoming trial, scheduled to start 12/14. Join the rally 12/14/09 at the Somerville Court House. State Senators urge Gov. Corzine to pardon him. Send your own e-mail to the governor. DOJ memo: Federal prosecution of medical marijuana patients to end.

- CMMNJ is scheduled to appear at the following upcoming events:

· Sat., 11/7, noon to 9PM, Skidfest, U. of Delaware, Newark, DE.

· Sun., 11/8, 9:30 PM & Wed., 11/11, 5:30 PM, Larry Kane's "Voice of Reason" on the Comcast Network.

· November 16 – 19, League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City

· Sat., 11/21, 12:30 - 2:30 PM, Medical Marijuana Info Seminar, Collingswood Public Library

· Mon., 12/14, 9:00 AM Rally at Somerset Co. Court House, Somerville, NJ to support John Wilson.

- CMMNJ recently appeared at the following events: 10/10, Ewing Community Fest, TCNJ; 10/17 Medical Marijuana Information Seminar, Collingswood Public Library; 10/19, Ocean Co. Community College Medical Marijuana Debate; 10/20, NORML NJ Open Mtng., Wash. Twp, NJ.

- See Ken’s Facebook page & Facebook Friends of CMMNJ!

- Treasury report: Current balances: Checking: $4456.89; PayPal: $561.26. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) organization, to fund public education about medical marijuana. Donations may be made securely through Paypal or checks made out to “CMMNJ” and sent to the address below. Get a free t-shirt for a donation above $15—specify size. Thank you for your support.

Scheduled meetings are Nov. 10, Dec. 8, 2009 & Jan. 12, 2010. CMMNJ meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Lawrence Twp. Library from 7:00 PM until 9:00 PM. All are welcome. Snacks are served. The library is at 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Twp., Tel. #609.882.9246. (Meeting at the library does not imply their endorsement of our issue.) 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 ohamkrw(at)aol.com

Do you agree that the prosecution of John Wilson is "inappropriate and inhumane" and "a complete waste of taxpayer money”? Send an e-mail to the New Jersey Governor and Attorney General with just a few clicks of your mouse. You can also customize your letter, like I did below. See how easy it is at:

http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=14300601


November 5, 2009

Dear Governor Corzine,

As a registered nurse with 33 years of experience in New Jersey, I am
joining members of the New Jersey State Senate who have called for the
pardon of multiple sclerosis patient John Wilson. Wilson faces up to 20
years in prison because he used marijuana to alleviate his pain and
suffering. Senators have publicly denounced the prosecution of Wilson to
be "inappropriate and inhumane" and "a complete waste of taxpayer money."
I can't agree more.

There is no justice in the state's prosecution of John Wilson. I wish to
add my voice to those calling for Wilson's pardon.

New Jersey stands on the threshold of becoming the 14th state to allow for
the legal use of marijuana under a doctor's supervision. The "New Jersey
Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act," which the Senate approved in
February 2009, only awaits a floor vote by Assembly before becoming law.
This bill will protect patients like Wilson who use marijuana
therapeutically. Even the federal government's attitude about medical
marijuana is changing. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has instructed
federal authorities recently not to arrest or prosecute medical marijuana
patients or caregivers in the 13 states with medical marijuana laws, as
long as they are in compliance with state law.

Wilson's jury trial starts December 14, 2009 and the judge has ruled that
Wilson will not be permitted to tell the jury that he suffers from
multiple sclerosis and that his use of marijuana was for medical purposes
only. Senator Nick Scutari said that Wilson's trial will likely be a relic
of "New Jersey's outdated, socially irresponsible and fiscally
reprehensible approach in treating patients using medical marijuana like
hardened criminals."

It is time to stop this senseless prosecution and pardon John Wilson.

Sincerely,

Ken Wolski, RN

cc: Attorney General Milgram

Photo: MS Patient John Ray Wilson Trial

Here is John with CMMNJ co-founder Jim Miller at the courthouse on Friday 10/30 2009. Thanks to K. Long for the pic!

CMMNJ is continuing our support of John Ray Wilson, who faces 15 years in state prison for growing 17 marijuana plants. John lives with MS and used cannabis therapy for treatment.

Donate to the Wilson family directly here.

Despite a public call from two state Senators for a pardon the criminal trial against John is moving ahead.

Read more about John's case here

In August CMMNJ rallied at the Somerset County Courthouse. Our volunteers plan on having a supporting presence at the courthouse through all phases of the trial.

The next date is December 14, 2009. Read More

John Wilson Trial Date Set

CMMNJ's Jim Miller was at the Somerset County Courthouse on 10/30 for John Wilson's court hearing.

Despite a public call from two state Senators for a pardon the criminal trial against John is moving ahead.

CMMNJ is planning to have a supporting presence at the courthouse during all phases of the trial. The tentative dates are 12/14 for jury selection and 12/21 for opening arguments.

Jim was quoted and photographed in the following news article

Senators Push for Pardon of Franklin Man with MS Charged with Growing Medical Marijuana - MyCentralJersey.com

A four-year plea deal is on the table. But Lesniak said even that could ensure that Wilson would die behind bars.

Prosecuting people like Wilson "wasn't the intent of the legislation," of the drug manufacturing statute, Lesniak said. "It was designed to go after drug kingpins. This is hardly the case."

Wilson is facing two other charges, a second-degree manufacturing charge and a third-degree possession offense. The second-degree charge can bring five to 10 years in prison; a third-degree offense, three to five years.

Lesniak said they have not sought an outright pardon since Wilson must face consequences if found guilty. Community service would be a more appropriate sentence, Lesniak said. READ FULL ARTICLE

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

NJ State Senators Ask For Pardon of Medical Marijuana User

In a major development in New Jersey today, two of the Senators sponsoring The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act asked for the Governor to pardon John Ray Wilson!

The full press release is below.

Chris Goldstein
CMMNJ

News From
NJ Senate Democrats

Visit us on the World Wide Web at: www.njsendems.com

FOR RELEASE: Immediate CONTACT: Jason Butkowski
October 26, 2009 Tel: (609) 292-5215
Fax: (609) 633-7254

SCUTARI AND LESNIAK ASK FOR PARDON OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA USER

Lawmakers Say Imprisonment of Somerset County Man Suffering with MS is
Inhumane, Illegal and Inconsistent with Direction of State’s Drug Policies

TRENTON – Calling the prosecution of a self-medicating Somerset County
man with multiple sclerosis (MS) a “severe, inappropriate,
discompassionate and inhumane application of the letter of the law,”
Senators Nicholas P. Scutari and Raymond J. Lesniak today urged Governor
Jon Corzine to pardon Franklin Township resident John Ray Wilson, and
called on the Assembly to quickly move legislation to decriminalize the
medicinal use of marijuana by New Jerseyans with chronic and terminal
illnesses.

“It seems cruel and unusual to treat New Jersey’s sick and dying as if
they were drug cartel kingpins. Moreover, it is a complete waste of
taxpayer money having to house and treat an MS patient in a jail at the
public’s expense,” said Senator Scutari, D-Union, Middlesex and Somerset.
“Specifically, in the case of John Ray Wilson, the State is taking a
fiscally irresponsible hard-line approach against a man who’s simply
seeking what little relief could be found from the debilitating effects
of multiple sclerosis. Governor Corzine should step in immediately and
end this perversion of criminal drug statutes in the Garden State.”

“Without compassion and a sense of moral right and wrong, laws are worth
less than the paper they’re printed on,” said Senator Lesniak, D-Union.
“New Jersey’s tough criminal drug laws were never intended to be used
against patients suffering from chronic and terminal medical conditions.
The prosecutors and presiding judge have set up a scenario where Mr.
Wilson is no different than a common street thug in the eyes of the law.”

In August of 2008, a training fly-over by a New Jersey National Guard
helicopter spotted 17 marijuana plants in the backyard of John Ray
Wilson’s Franklin Township home. Wilson, now 36 years old, was diagnosed
with MS in 2002 and at the time, had no health insurance coverage or
means to pay for the pharmaceutical drugs needed to keep the symptoms of
his disease in check. According to his lawyer, Wilson turned to natural
substances to relieve his suffering, including bee-sting therapy and
marijuana purchased illegally.

Unable to afford purchasing expensive pharmaceutical drugs to ease his
pain, Wilson attempted to grow marijuana for his own personal, medical
use in the backyard of his home. Now, he’s being charged with multiple
counts of possession and manufacturing of illegal drugs, the most severe
of which – first degree maintaining or operating a drug-production
facility – carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, and
disqualifies him for the Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) program, an
alternative to incarceration for non-violent offenders. State
prosecutors have offered a plea agreement of four years imprisonment, but
the Union County lawmakers called on Governor Corzine to pardon Wilson of
the drug-production facility charge in order to make him eligible to
participate in PTI and avoid a prison sentence.

“It is legally inappropriate, humanly cruel and fiscally wasteful to
impose any kind of prison term for Mr. Wilson,” said Senator Lesniak.
“If anything, this is precisely the sort of case that should have been
diverted to Pre-Trial Intervention. A lengthy prison sentence for John
Ray Wilson would most likely guarantee that he will die behind bars, and
the court should have pursued other options if it was truly concerned
with justice.”

Last week, Superior Court Judge Robert Reed ruled that Wilson’s medical
condition, and the fact that he had been taking marijuana to treat his
condition, could not be revealed to the jury during the course of the
trial. The trial, which will be given a starting date on Friday in
Superior Court in Somerville, NJ, will likely be a “relict of New
Jersey’s outdated, inconsiderate, socially irresponsible and fiscally
reprehensible zero-tolerance approach in treating patients using medical
marijuana to relieve their suffering like hardened criminals,” according
to Senator Scutari.

“Not only is the prosecutor over-reaching and overzealously pursuing the
letter of the law, but the judge is enabling this kind of witch hunt,”
said Senator Scutari. “It seems patently unfair and unjust to force John
Ray Wilson into jail without taking serious consideration of his medical
condition. The court should have also taken into account the extenuating
circumstances involving new Federal guidelines on medical marijuana and
the progress of in-State legislation decriminalizing marijuana possession
and use by New Jerseyans with debilitating medical conditions.”

In addition to asking Governor Corzine to issue clemency for John Ray
Wilson, both lawmakers agreed that the Assembly must quickly move S-119,
sponsored by Senator Scutari and co-sponsored by Senator Lesniak, when
the Legislature reconvenes this fall. Entitled the “New Jersey
Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act,” the bill would decriminalize
the possession and use of marijuana by State-registered patients with
“debilitating medical conditions,” as identified by a New Jersey-licensed
physician. The bill would also require the State Department of Health
and Senior Services to oversee the establishment and administration of
alternative treatment centers, where qualified, registered patients would
be able to obtain medical marijuana and any related supplies and
educational materials.

“The only way we’re going see less of these cases come before the court
is if the ‘New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act’ becomes
the law of the land,” said Senator Lesniak. “This has been an issue that
has taken years to resolve in New Jersey, and legislative approval and
enactment into law are long past overdue. It’s time that the Assembly
post this bill for a vote, so we can focus our attention on putting real
criminals behind bars, and not piling on the suffering for terminal
patients simply seeking a little relief from the symptoms of their
diseases.”

“For the men and women in New Jersey who have no where else to turn to
effectively manage their debilitating illnesses, the ‘Compassionate Use
Medical Marijuana Act’ would give them an alternative, and protect them
from overly harsh and unnecessary drug crime prosecution,” said Senator
Scutari. “If we had just passed this legislation years ago, we wouldn’t
even be having a discussion about John Ray Wilson, and he’d be able to
get access to drugs to manage the pain and spasticity of MS without fear
of persecution. On behalf of John Ray Wilson and the thousands of State
residents suffering from long-term, chronic and terminal illnesses, I
call on the Assembly to send the medical marijuana legislation to the
Governor to finally be signed into law.”

The “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act” was approved by
the Senate in February by a vote of 22-16, and was advanced out of the
Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee in June by a vote of 8-1,
with 2 abstentions. It is currently pending before the full Assembly
before going to Governor Corzine to be signed into law.
###


Jason Butkowski
Deputy Communications Director for Technology
New Jersey Senate Democratic Office
P: (609) 292-5215
F: (609) 633-7254
www.njsendems.com

Star Ledger Video of 8/21 CMMNJ Rally

Marijuana advocates support patient facing drug charges

Medical marijuana advocates protest at Somerset courthouse

Courthouse demonstration for NJ MS Patient John Wilson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

Somerville Rally for NJ Multiple Sclerosis Patient Facing Trial

WHO: CMMNJ members will demonstrate support for NJ MS Patient John Wilson

WHAT: At a free, public rally

WHEN: Friday, August 21, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

WHERE: Somerset County Court House, 20 North Bridge St., Somerville, New Jersey

WHY: Wilson faces 20 years in prison for using marijuana to treat his MS


Members of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. will hold a rally on the sidewalk in front of the Somerset County Court House, 20 North Bridge St., Somerville, NJ on Friday, August 21, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in support of multiple sclerosis (MS) patient John Ray Wilson. Wilson faces 20 years in prison for growing 17 marijuana plants that he used to treat his MS. Wilson was charged with “manufacturing” marijuana and he was told by Superior Court Judge Robert Reed during a pre-trial hearing last month that he may 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 removes Wilson’s only defense for his actions. Wilson plans to appeal the judge’s decision. Wilson is self-employed, has no health insurance and faces mounting legal bills.


The National MS Society recently confirmed in an Expert Opinion Paper 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, Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey. “We want to demonstrate our outrage that Wilson faces many years in prison for this, and that he cannot even explain to the jury why he was using marijuana,” Wolski said. The MS Society estimates that 15% of people with this disease use marijuana for symptom relief.


The "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act,” which was approved by the New Jersey Senate, awaits a vote in the Assembly. This bill would allow patients to use a small amount of marijuana when a licensed physician recommends it for the symptoms of a number of medical conditions including multiple sclerosis. Governor Jon Corzine has said that he would sign the bill into law when it gets to his desk.

CMM-NJ, 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.

http://www.cmmnj.org/
844 Spruce St., Trenton, NJ 08648
609.394.2137 ohamkrw@aol.com

NJ Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Patient Denied Medical Defense

NJ Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Patient Denied Medical Defense

June 28, 2009

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 may not let the jury know that he has MS, or that his use of marijuana was an attempt to treat his disease.

Wilson faces 20 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.

MS expert Dr. Denis Petro submitted testimony on Wilson’s behalf, but the judge refused to admit that testimony into trial. The prosecuting attorney asked, “If you robbed a bank and had MS, would you expect special treatment for that?” Wilson plans to appeal the judge’s decision.

The National MS Society recently confirmed in an Expert Opinion Paper that standard therapies often provide inadequate relief for the symptoms of MS and that marijuana helps with MS symptoms such as pain and spasticity and could limit disease progression.

“To know that an inexpensive herb like marijuana is able not only to relieve the immediate suffering of MS—the pain and spasticity—but also to actually arrest the progression of this incurable disease is a compelling reason to use it therapeutically. It is an outrage that Wilson faces many years in prison for this, and that he cannot even explain to the jury why he was using marijuana,” said Ken Wolski, RN, Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey (CMMNJ).

An estimated 15% of people with the disease use marijuana for symptom relief, according to the MS Society.

The "New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act,” which was approved by the New Jersey Senate, awaits a vote in the Assembly. This bill would allow patients to use a small amount of marijuana when a licensed physician recommends it for the symptoms of a number of medical conditions including multiple sclerosis. Governor Jon Corzine has said that he would sign the bill into law when it gets to his desk.

CMM-NJ, 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:

Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. http://www.cmmnj.org/
609.394.2137

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