CMMNJ Public Meeting Agenda for January 8, 2019

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Township Library, Room #2 
Tuesday, January 8, 2019 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve December 2018 minutes. Discuss:

NJ marijuana reform delayed. S2703/A4497: The “New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory and Expungement Aid Modernization Act” which legalizes personal use cannabis for adults did not go to a vote by the entire legislature on December 17th, as hoped, after successfully passing appropriations committees from the Senate and Assembly on November 26th. It appears too many people want too many things from the legislation, and are unwilling to compromise.
PA & NY to legalize in 2019?

The medical marijuana expansion act, S10/2426, is similarly stalled, after sailing through three legislative committees, also on November 26th. This bill is tied to the legalization bill, though there is really no reason that it could not advance on its own.

NJ DOH OK’d 6 applications for ATCs on 12/17/18 in Atlantic City, Elizabeth, Ewing, Paterson, Phillipsburg & Vineland. Applicants must comply with background checks and regs.

NJ DOH MMP proposed regulations: CMMNJ awaits adoption of the rules: our comments.

NJ OAG: CMMNJ awaits action on re/descheduling hearings from  the spring of 2018.

Upcoming Events: Patients Out of Time (POT) conference, Tampa, FL, 4/11-4/13/19.
Americans for Safe Access (ASA) Unity Conference, Washington, D.C., 3/18- 3/20/19.
Brick Zoning Board hearing resumes on January 9, 2019.
Medical Marijuana in New Jersey, (4 CEUs for RNs) 2/2/19, 8am – 12 pm, Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center, Plainsboro, NJ.
Medical Marijuana in New Jersey (4 CEUs for RNs) presentation is also available at Hackensack UMC at Pascack Valley on 2/16/19, 8am – 12 pm.
5th Annual CANNAEAST Conference, March 12-13, 2019 New York, NY

Treasury report: Checking: $4924; PayPal: $2668.

CMMNJ’s free, public meetings are the 2nd 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, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com http://www.cmmnj.org
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/
CMMNJ blog: https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/

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

Monthly Public Meeting Minutes 
December 11, 2018

November 2018 minutes approved.

NJ marijuana reform advances through legislative committees. S2703/A4497: The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory and Expungement Aid Modernization Act which legalizes personal use cannabis for adults; creates the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to regulate personal use and medical cannabis; and provides expungement relief for certain past marijuana offenses. Appropriations committees from the Senate and Assembly voted 7-4 and 7-2, respectively to advance the adult use bill to full Senate and Assembly votes. 12/17 vote?
Per reporter Sue Livio, there will be a meeting on 12/13 with Gov. Murphy, Sen. President Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Coughlin to iron out differences on the bill that passed in committees to see if there will be a floor vote of the entire legislature on 12/17 to get the legalization bill to the governor’s desk. Taxes, social justice issues, and expungement seem to be the main concerns. Home cultivation is not being considered at this time.

Expansions to the “Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act: Also on 11/26/18, the Senate Health Committee heard testimony on S10/2426/A10/A3470/A3473, a bill which revises requirements to authorize and access medical cannabis; establishes institutional caregivers; revises permit requirements for ATCs; and establishes additional legal protections for patients and caregivers. Health Committee vote: Yes-7 No-1 Not Voting 1; Senate Budget Committee: Yes-12 No-1; Assembly: Yes-10 No-0.

Hemp bill signed into law by Gov. Murphy; NJ Dept. of Agriculture to start pilot program.

NJ DOH to expand access to Medicinal Marijuana in NJ. Six new ATCs will be announced soon?

NJ DOH MMP proposed regulations: CMMNJ: our comments. Patient supply of medical marijuana down, with some strains unavailable, arbitrary limits on purchases at some ATCs, and lack of quality buds available. Growing pains for the rapidly expanding NJ industry.

Upcoming Events: Lawrence Library OK’d all 12 CMMNJ meeting requests for 2019.
Everything About Medicinal Marijuana, 12/12, Lawrence Twp. 6:30-7:30 pm
Brick Zoning Board postponed on 11/19/18; hearing resumes in January 2019.
Community Conversation with Steve Reid of RAMP, 12/12, 7pm, Hunterdon Central H.S.
POT conference, Tampa, FL, 4/11-4/13/19
ASA Unity Conference, 3/18- 3/20/19, Washington, D.C.

Recent events: 
Thanksgiving Day Statehouse podcast & food/clothing giveaway—very successful.

Treasury report: Checking: $4871; PayPal: $2668.

More info: Ken Wolski, RN, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com http://www.cmmnj.org
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/

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

CMMNJ Public Meeting Agenda for October 9, 2018

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Township Library, Room #3 
Tuesday, October 9, 2018 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve September 2018 minutes. Discuss:

NJ Senate vote coming October 29th on legalization bill, S2703? The Scutari/Sweeney bill is in the Senate Judiciary Committee awaiting a hearing--10/15, 10/18, or 10/22? Committee hearings are the time for public input. A bill approved in committee is likely to pass in the entire Senate. (The process is repeated in the Assembly before the bill is sent to the governor’s desk.) CMMNJ priorities: home cultivation; automatic expungement; diversity; home delivery; and, rebuilding the communities devastated by the war on marijuana. Hoboken, Newark & Jersey City mayors demand social equity in marijuana legalization law. Opposition is strong and vocal, including law enforcement. Cannabis industry is lobbying for reform. NJ State League of Municipalities urge mayors to request 5% tax on sales of legal marijuana.

Six New Dispensaries to expand access to Medicinal Marijuana in NJ; Applications were due 8/31/18. Six winners out of the 146 applicants will be announced 11/1/18. Applicants are seeking community support for proposed ATC sites in Trenton, Brick, Vineland, Clayton, etc.

Medicinal Marijuana Program: NJ DOH MMP proposed regulations: CMMNJ awaits response to our comments.

Petition: Legalize home cultivation in NJ! Legalization letter to NJ officials. DPA Petition: Marijuana Legalization Must be Fair and Equitable

NJ Assembly passes Resolution 183 and tells Congress to stop federal bank regulators from punishing banks that serve marijuana businesses.

Upcoming Events: Cannabis unleashed; NJ Alternative Medicine, Cherry Hill, 6-9 pm.
“Cannabis in your Community” MCCC Trenton 10/10/18, 6-8 pm, by Trenton Cannabis Community;
“Green on the Morristown Green” N. Park Place, Morristown, NJ, 10/20/18, 11 am to 6 pm
Sativa Cross seeks input for #StillWaiting videos.

Recent events: 2018 Canna-Bash, Mill Hill Park, Trenton, September 8, 2018.
“Breaking Stigmas & the Benefits of Cannabis” Ewing, NJ Senior Center, 9/20.
Leo Bridgewater & People of Color in the Cannabis Community

Treasury report: Checking: $4306; PayPal: $2605. Ken's Birthday Fundraiser for CMMNJ $425!

CMMNJ’s meetings are the 2nd 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, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com http://www.cmmnj.org
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ

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

Monthly Public Meeting Minutes 
September 11, 2018

August 2018 minutes approved. Discussion:

Vote coming in September on NJ legalization bill? S830/A1348/A3819; A3581; A1557; S2703; S2702 CMMNJ priorities: home cultivation; Ed to improve expungement language, diversity, protect out-of-state patients. Appt. sought with Asm. Herb Conaway to discuss home cultivation.

New Jersey voters support 62% - 33% allowing adults to legally possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Voters also support 63% - 27% erasing criminal records for marijuana possession.

CMMNJ’s letter-to-the-editor in Press of A.C.:  Legal marijuana would make NJ healthier, safer

Stockton U. to let students minor in marijuana

Web site update: Amanda is working with Nick & Mike to OK changes made by Brian.

New Jersey's attorney general: adjourned all marijuana cases in municipal courts until Sept. Now, A.G. says prosecutors may exercise discretion and choose not to prosecute some marijuana cases.

Petition: Legalize home cultivation in NJ!

Six New Dispensaries To Expand Access to Medicinal Marijuana in NJ; Applications were due 8/31/18. Six winners out of the 146 applicants will be announced Nov. 1, 2018.

NJ DOH MMP proposed regulations: CMMNJ submitted written comments on 8/17/18.

Federal Court: Employer Need Not Waive Drug Test for Medical Marijuana User

NJ medical marijuana: A beginner's guide to the process

Upcoming Events: 2018 Canna-Bash, Mill Hill Park, Trenton, September 8, 2018.
Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana: 9/20 Ewing Sr. Center 6 pm.
Recent events: Medical Marijuana: Implications for the Disability Community: Wed., 8/8
Ignorance is No Excuse Tour goes to Hightstown.
Ed Forchion at the Legislative Black Caucus

Treasury report: Checking: $4045; PayPal: $2605. Ken's Birthday Fundraiser for CMMNJ

CMMNJ August 14, 2018 Meeting Agenda & July Minutes

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Township Library, Room #3 
Tuesday, August 14, 2018 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve July 2018 minutes. Discuss:

Six New Dispensaries To Expand Access to Medicinal Marijuana in NJ; applications are due 8/31/18. Successful applicants will be announced Nov. 1, 2018.

NJ Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Shereef Elnahal, M.D. conducted two grand rounds lectures in July with 300 physicians at NJ teaching hospitals to dispel myths and reduce stigma in the medical community.

NJ DOH MMP proposed regulations: Submit written comments by August 17, 2018, electronically or by regular mail postmarked by 8/17/18.

New Jersey's attorney general: adjournment of all marijuana cases in municipal courts until Sept.
Petition: Legalize home cultivation in NJ!
NJ.com poll: 80% say legalize it in NJ.
NJ cops toughest in nation for pot arrests: marijuana possession is 10.6 percent of all arrests

What will NJ legalization bill look like?
S830/A1348/A3819; A3581; A1557; S2703; S2702 (combination); medical marijuana expansion bills: S1955 (Jake Honig's Law) and several others.

Upcoming Events:
Medical Marijuana: Implications for the Disability Community: Wed., 8/8/18 Hilton Garden Inn, 800 US Highway 130, Hamilton, NJ 8:30 am to 10:30 am. $30 includes breakfast.

NJ DOH meeting for prospective ATC owners in NJ, Trenton War Memorial, 8/9/18 10 – 12 noon.

2018 Canna-Bash, Mill Hill Park, Trenton, September 8, 2018.

Recent events:
The Grassroots Cannabis Forum, Kennedy Park, Asbury Park 7/7/18.
“Medical Marijuana in New Jersey” Mercer County Library, Ewing Branch, 7/18/18.
“Green on the Mo'town Green,” 8/4/18, Morristown, NJ.
Newark Today: The Path To Legalization: July 19, Mayor Ras Baraka, State Senator Ron Rice
NJWeedman Victory Party/Joint Fundraising Party, Trenton, 8/5/18.

Treasury report: Checking: $4545; PayPal: $2642.

CMMNJ’s meetings are the 2nd 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, MPA
(609) 394-2137
ohamkrw@aol.com
http://www.cmmnj.org

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

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

Monthly Public Meeting Minutes
July 12, 2018

June 2018 minutes approved. Discussion:

NJ DOH MMP proposed regulations: Submit written comments by August 17, 2018: Ed and Ken to work on CMMNJ response but input welcome from all.

NJ MMP has over 25,000 patients registered so far; Harmony ATC opened 6/18 in Secaucus, NJ. CMMNJ met with DOH Assistant Commissioner Jeff Brown; what states have marijuana co-ops? Send info to DOH.

DOH Newsletter Health Matters features NJ MMP.

No response from the BME to Gov. Murphy’s Executive Order #6 (email sent to BME 7/3): https://www.state.nj.us/health/medicalmarijuana/documents/EO6Report_Final.pdf
Call in to OAG re: results of marijuana rescheduling hearings 4/19/18, Newark & 4/24/18 Trenton.
NJ Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee: CMMNJ testified in support of legalizing marijuana for adults in NJ on 3/5/18 and 4/21/18 and 5/12/18. Email sent 7/3 for results.

What will NJ legalization bill look like? S830/A1348/A3819; A3581; A1557; S2703; S2702 (combination); medical marijuana expansion bills: S1955 (Jake Honig law) and several others.

Recent events: Trenton Cannabis Meeting 6/6/18—radio interview with Jacque Pierre Howard; Trenton mayoral election, 6/12, won by Reed Gusciora, NJ’s legislative champion of marijuana reform.
Opioid Epidemic in NJ: Prevention and Harm Reduction, Douglass College 6/22/18.
Statehouse podcast on the anniversary of Cheryl Miller’s 2003 death, 6/7/18 at 1:11PM.
Roots of Us LLC interviewed Ken Wolski 7/2/18.

Treasury report: Checking: $3810; PayPal: $2642.
More info: Ken Wolski, RN, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com http://www.cmmnj.org

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

Assembly Health Committee Testimony Re: Substitute A3437

March 25, 2018 (Revised testimony)

Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee
State House Annex, Trenton, New Jersey
March 22, 2018

Re:  Substitute A3437:  Revisions to the “Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act,” P.L.2009, c.307 44 (C.24:6I-1 et al.)

My name is Ken Wolski. I have practiced as an RN in NJ and PA for over 40 years. I am executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana –New Jersey (CMMNJ), a nonprofit organization I co-founded 15 years ago.

The testimony I originally submitted to this committee was in opposition to A3437. However, after reviewing Substitute A3437, available on the day of the committee meeting, I want to change my testimony to support this bill, though with some concerns and recommendations.

The overarching concerns of our educational organization are:
⦁ access to the program;
⦁ availability of strains;
⦁ cost of the product; and,
⦁ artificially low limits/month.

Substitute A3437 substitute has a number of good recommendations. It would:
⦁ allow physicians to determine the need for medical marijuana;
⦁ make the physician registry voluntary, not mandatory for physicians to recommend medical marijuana;
⦁ eliminate the psychiatrist requirement for minors to access the Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP), but keep the pediatrician requirement;
⦁ authorize edibles in various forms and instruct the New Jersey Department of Health  (DOH) commissioner to set limits on edibles;
⦁ do away with the previous administration’s requirement that edibles are only for minors;
⦁ mandate that 15% of new dispensaries would go to businesses that are run by minorities, women, veterans and/or disabled veterans;
⦁ increase the allowable amount of marijuana dispensed from two to four ounces; and,
⦁ reduce fees for ID cards from $200, with a $20 discount rate, to $50 with a $10 discount rate for patients on government assistance.

A main thrust of Substitute A3437 is to change the nature of future Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs) into cultivation/processor centers and dispensary centers.

Substitute A3437 would allow six (6) additional cultivation/processors added to the five existing ATCs (soon to be six) in each region of the state (Northern, Central and Southern regions), for a total of 12. These 12 cultivation/processors would furnish marijuana products to 40 dispensaries in the three regions of the state.

This represents a reasonable and conservative approach to expand the MMP. Doubling the number of cultivation/processors should help MMP patients who regularly complain that the existing ATCs run out of particular strains of marijuana that are most effective in controlling the symptoms of their serious medical conditions.

The primary purpose of the MMP is to meet the needs of patients. Currently, patients in New Jersey pay the highest prices in the nation for their medicinal marijuana. Simply expanding the outlets where they can pay these prices is not doing any service to the patients. Vigorous competition that allows for market forces to influence pricing should bring the out-of-pocket expenses of the MMP patients down to more reasonable levels. Hopefully, Substitute A3437 will stimulate price reductions for MMP patients.

A home cultivation provision for MMP patients is the ideal solution to both availability and affordability of therapeutic strains of marijuana, but this provision is lacking from Substitute A3437.

Substitute A3437 creates a new “total amount of usable marijuana that a patient may be dispensed, in weight, in a 30-day period, which amount shall not exceed four ounces.” The addition of two ounces per month to the current amount allowed is appreciated, but it will also be inadequate for some patients. Marijuana therapy is highly individualized. The actual amount allowed each month should be what the recommending physician deems necessary to control the symptoms of the patient.

Substitute A3437 still requires patients to be seen every 30/60/90 days by a physician simply for renewal of their marijuana recommendation.  Some patients’ underlying condition(s) will never go away. They should not have to be seen so frequently. Yearly visits should be adequate, unless the patient is a minor.

Some of these recommendations in Substitute A3437 are not necessary to be included in legislation. The DOH plans to release its report improving access to the MMP very soon and it will presumably make significant changes by regulation.  A new administration that looks favorably upon the MMP is more likely to expand the program as needed without revisiting legislation. The DOH may well:
⦁ add to the MMP the 43 petitions that were recommended be approved by the DOH Review Panel, and may allow individual physicians to determine future conditions that qualify for marijuana therapy;
⦁ allow any New Jersey licensed physician with prescription privileges to recommend medical marijuana, and make the Physician Registry voluntary;
⦁ reduce the fees for MMP ID cards; and,
⦁ evaluate whether there are sufficient numbers of alternative treatment centers to meet the needs of registered qualifying patients throughout the State and make its own recommendations for expanding the MMP since, according to the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, the Commissioner of the DOH is empowered to do this:
“The (DOH) shall seek to ensure the availability of a sufficient number of alternative treatment centers throughout the State, pursuant to need…and centers subsequently issued permits may be nonprofit or for-profit entities.”

While we have some concerns about the proposed bill, and would like to see a number of other provisions added to the bill (see below), the Coalition for Medical Marijuana—New Jersey, Inc. supports Substitute A3437.

CMMNJ’s recommended additions to the Substitute A3437:

⦁ Allow any licensed healthcare professional with prescription privileges, including Advanced Practice Nurses, Dentists, and Veterinarians, to recommend medical marijuana;
⦁ Mandate education on the Endocannabinoid System for all healthcare professionals in NJ who have prescription privileges;
⦁ Recognize out-of-state ID cards now that 30 states have medical marijuana programs including NY, PA, DE, etc.;
⦁ Adopt “Patient Focused Certification” in order to bring national standards to every aspect of the MMP (testing, etc.) through Quality Assurance audits using the industry’s best technical experts, (currently used in DE & MD): https://safeaccess2.org/patientfocusedcertification//
⦁ Require ongoing, documented training for all state, county and local Law Enforcement Officers on the MMP (OAG Guidelines posted on the DOH website is not adequate training);
⦁ Have the DOH develop complete dosing and administration guidelines for standardized medical marijuana products (including information on expected effects, side effects, adverse effects, etc.); See: “Medicinal cannabis: Rational guidelines for dosing:”  https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/582a/efb5bfa326fdba0affc23e343151e02aa903.pdf
⦁ Allow edible medical marijuana products for qualified patients in all state institutions to improve care and reduce healthcare costs (including lawsuit avoidance)—allow institutional physicians to recommend, and nurses to administer, medical marijuana after appropriate training, and then conduct case studies on patients receiving this treatment;
⦁ Deschedule marijuana in New Jersey;
⦁ Include explicit employee workplace protections for MMP patients:
⦁ Evaluate the effectiveness of state mandated policies and procedures for the administration of medical marijuana at schools and facilities for the developmentally disabled throughout NJ, amend these policies as needed, and extend these policies to include colleges and universities in NJ; and,
⦁ Restore home cultivation of 6 (six) plants for qualified patients with an MMP ID card (this provision was originally approved by the NJ Senate on 2/23/09).

Respectfully submitted,


Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director
Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc.
219 Woodside Ave.
Trenton, NJ 08618
609.394.2137 www.cmmnj.org

CMMNJ's Regulatory and Legislative Recommendations

Regulatory and Legislative Recommendations for the

New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP)

Regulatory Recommendations:

1. Allow any New Jersey licensed physician with prescription privileges to recommend medical marijuana;
2. Make the Physician Registry voluntary, to serve as a patient resource, not as a requirement for physician participation in the MMP;
3. Add to the MMP the 43 petitions that were recommended be approved by the Department of Health (DOH) Review Panel;
4. Allow additional qualifying conditions to be decided in the privacy of the prescriber-patient relationship;
5. Mandate education on the Endocannabinoid System for all healthcare professionals in NJ who have prescription privileges, based on anticipated expansion of qualifying conditions for marijuana therapy, and on anticipated legalization of adult use;
6. Have the DOH develop complete dosing and administration guidelines for standardized medical marijuana products (including information on expected effects, side effects, adverse effects, etc.); See: “Medicinal cannabis: Rational guidelines for dosing” https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/582a/efb5bfa326fdba0affc23e343151e02aa903.pdf
7. Allow edible medical marijuana products for qualified patients in all state institutions to improve care and reduce healthcare costs--allow institutional physicians to recommend, and nurses to administer, medical marijuana after appropriate training and then conduct case studies on patients receiving treatment;
8. Reschedule/deschedule marijuana in NJ (Director of Division of Consumer Affairs, Office of Attorney General);
9. Eliminate fee for caregiver ID card;
10. Evaluate effectiveness of mandated policies and procedures for the administration of medical marijuana at schools and facilities for the developmentally disabled throughout NJ, modify the policies as necessary, and extend these policies to include colleges and universities in NJ;
11. Eliminate the requirement for psychiatric clearance for minors and require only one MD to recommend medical marijuana for minors;
12. Cancel the 7% tax on medical marijuana which is in violation of the New Jersey Division of Taxation’s Technical Bulletin issued 2/16/10 that notes, “Effective October 1, 2005, all drugs for human use, including prescribed drugs and over-the-counter drugs are exempt from sales and use tax.”  http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/taxation/pdf/pubs/tb/tb63.pdf
13. Establish medical marijuana discounts for veterans.

Legislative Recommendations:

1. Increase the 2 ounce limit per patient per month (medical cannabis use is individualized for patient and medical condition, so there should be no upper limit to what a patient can have—dosage should be based on patient need and method(s) of administration);
2. Restore home cultivation of 6 (six) plants for qualified patients with a NJ MMP ID card (which was approved by the NJ Senate on 2/23/09);
3. Allow any licensed healthcare professional with prescription privileges to recommend medical marijuana, including Advanced Practice Nurses, Dentists, and Veterinarians;
4. Recognize out-of-state ID cards now that 30 states have medical marijuana programs including NY, PA, DE, etc.;
5. Allow patients to obtain medical marijuana from out-of-state, if necessary, while NJ increases supply to meet increased demand;
6. Decriminalize marijuana as soon as possible to protect potential medical patients from arrest and criminal charges for the possession and use of small amounts of marijuana;
7. Do not allow adult use (legalization) legislation to infringe on any current rights of medical marijuana patients;
8. Allow for the use of cannabis as a first line treatment rather than a treatment of last resort--amend CUMMA C.24:6I-3 Definition of “Debilitating medical condition” (1) delete “if resistant to conventional medical treatment”;
9. Pass into law S997 which requires registered qualifying patient's authorized use of medical marijuana to be considered equivalent to use of any other prescribed medication--this prohibits restrictions on patients receiving organ transplants based on marijuana use;
10. Include explicit employee workplace protections--pass into law A1838 which establishes protection from adverse employment action for authorized medical marijuana patients;
11. Pass A1856 "Children's Caregivers Act" which revises requirements for primary caregivers for medical marijuana patients who are minors;
12. Permit any edible form of marijuana for any age and establish dosage units for all forms (repeal prohibition on edibles for adults—only minors are currently allowed edibles);
13. Require initial and ongoing training for all state, county and local Law Enforcement Officers on the medical marijuana program (OAG Guidelines posted on the DOH website is not adequate training);
14. Adopt “Patient Focused Certification” in order to bring national standards to every aspect of the MMP (testing, etc.) through Quality Assurance audits using the industry’s best technical experts, (currently used in DE & MD): https://safeaccess2.org/patientfocusedcertification//

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA
Executive Director
Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc.
219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618
609.394.2137 www.cmmnj.org

February 23, 2018

CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for January 9, 2018

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Twp. Library, Rm. #3 
Tuesday, January 9, 2018 
7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve December 2017 minutes. Discuss:

Governor-elect Phil Murphy plans to legalize marijuana in the first 100 days of 2018. Who is contacting whom in the new Administration about patient access, decriminalization, expungement? Gov. Christie finishes his second term at noon on Jan. 16, followed by Murphy inauguration at War Memorial: https://www.njinaugural2018.com/tuesday

California rolls out legal marijuana 1/1/18.

Press Conference at Statehouse, Trenton, 1/9/18 at 11:00 am in support of home cultivation.

NJ’s legalization bill (S3195): Facebook’s “Friends of CMMNJ” letter template in support of home cultivation, addressing concerns.

The Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP) Review Panel gave final approval to 43 petitions to add conditions (chronic pain, anxiety, migraines, and Tourette’s syndrome) to the MMP on 10/25/17. The DOH commissioner has 180 days to follow those recommendations. CUMMA amendments? Contact the DOH transition team?

Marijuana Justice Act of 2017 (S1689): Congressional co-sponsors sought for Sen. Cory Booker’s federal bill.

CMMNJ Year End Report 2017 completed; detailed financial report sent to CMMNJ Board members.

Political Prisoner Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion remains in jail awaiting retrial on hung jury charge.

Upcoming Events:
“CMMNJ TV” taping at Princeton TV studio, January 2018.
Patients Out of Time conference, Jersey City, NJ, May 10 – 12, 2018.

Treasury report: Checking: $3264; PayPal: $3292.

CMMNJ's meetings are the 2nd 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, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com http://www.cmmnj.org
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/

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

Monthly Public Meeting Minutes 
December 12, 2017

November 2017 minutes approved. Discussion:

Governor-elect Phil Murphy reaffirms plans to legalize marijuana in the first 100 days of 2018! Who is contacting whom in the new Administration about moving forward with advances for patient access and decriminalization/expungement? Jim Miller working with Bill Caruso and he is willing to accompany any patient in legislative meetings; Ken working with Doctors for Cannabis Regulation; Peter & Bob Kane working with S. Jersey legislators; patients/advocates urged to contact individual legislators.

Gov. Christie finishes his second term at noon on Jan. 16.

CMMNJ held a Press Conference in the State House Annex on 12/7/17 where patients and advocates explained the need for home cultivation—keeps it affordable; guarantees strain specific availability, etc.

NJ’s legalization bill (S3195): “Friends of CMMNJ” letter template in support of home cultivation, addressing concerns.

Expect marijuana use uptick of 3% with new law; 97% of current marijuana users will just change vendors from illegal market to legal market. Teen use down in legal states.

The Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP) Review Panel gave final approval to 43 petitions to add conditions (chronic pain, anxiety, migraines, and Tourette’s syndrome) to the MMP on 10/25/17. Now the DOH commissioner has 180 days to act. CUMMA amendments recommended. LTEs urged.

Marijuana Justice Act of 2017 (S1689): Congressional co-sponsors sought for Sen. Cory Booker’s federal bill. Take action: Capwiz from DPA and NORML.

Final 2017 Statehouse Podcast (100th) concluded with Thanksgiving Day lunch/clothing giveaway outside the Annex. Wayne Burrini (http://www.burrinis.com/) generously donated many delicious food items. Other advocates and patients donated food and clothing. Jim Miller and Lefty Grimes recognized for their heroic efforts in completing 100 podcasts outside the NJ Statehouse in all kinds of weather.

Political Prisoner/Veteran Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion remains in jail awaiting trial on hung jury charge.

Upcoming Events: “CMMNJ TV” taping at Princeton TV studio, January 2018.
Patients Out of Time conference, Jersey City, NJ, May 10 – 12, 2018.
Garden State Cannabis Consultants, LLC (Nick & Leo) buying a video switcher to produce more videos.

Recent Events: 5th year anniversary of medical marijuana availability in NJ—12/6/17.
Medical Cannabis Conference, Montego Bay Jamaica, Nov. 10 -15, 2017. Atecam.com
Medical Marijuana: There are big benefits for seniors; Plainsboro Senior Center, 12/8/17.

Treasury report: Checking: $3264; PayPal: $3292.

2018 CMMNJ meetings were approved for the 2nd 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, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com http://www.cmmnj.org
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/

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

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

                 

'Let Us Home Grow,' New Jersey Marijuana Advocates Say
https://patch.com/new-jersey/bloomfield/let-us-home-grow-new-jersey-marijuana-advocates-say

NJ marijuana legalization: When will weed be legalized?
http://www.app.com/story/news/politics/new-jersey/2017/12/08/marijuana-legal-new-jersey-when-timeline-2018/931192001/

Legal marijuana in N.J.! Hip, Hip, ... Hurrah? | Opinion
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/12/legal_marijuana_in_nj_hip_hip_hurrah_opinion.html

Fact Check: Chris Christie Claims He Has ‘No Problem’ With Doctor Regulated Marijuana Use
https://www.weednews.co/fact-check-chris-christie-claims-he-has-no-problem-with-doctor-regulated-marijuana-use/

Marijuana Job Workshop In New Jersey Will Train 'Budtenders'
https://patch.com/new-jersey/maplewood/marijuana-job-workshop-new-jersey-will-train-budtenders

V.A. Issues New Medical Marijuana Policy For Military Veterans
https://www.marijuanamoment.net/v-issues-new-medical-marijuana-policy-veterans/

Summit on drugged driving urges state to slow down marijuana legalization
https://www.njtvonline.org/news/video/summit-drugged-driving-urges-state-slow-marijuana-legalization/

NJ marijuana legalization: Point Pleasant Beach bans medical, recreational weed sales
http://www.app.com/story/news/local/public-safety/2017/12/26/nj-marijuana-weed-legalization-point-pleasant-beach-phil-murphy/982249001/

Weed goes legal in California. Here's how the program will work
http://www.nj.com/marijuana/2017/12/weed_goes_legal_in_california_heres_how_the_progra.html

What Weedman thinks about weed legalization might surprise you
http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2017/12/i_want_legalization_but_we_are_being_excluded_says.html

How will legalizing marijuana impact police work?
http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2017/12/31/how-legalizing-marijuana-impact-police-work/985299001/

How to grow your own marijuana. (If N.J. legislators allow it, of course.) | Philly 420
http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/philly420/how-to-grow-your-own-marijuana-if-nj-legislators-allow-it-of-course-philly-420-20171229.html

Recreational Pot Is Officially Legal in California
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/us/legal-pot-california.html?_r=0

NORML Blog, Marijuana Law Reform »
Working to reform marijuana laws
http://norml.org/

Former DEA Spokeswoman: Marijuana is Safe and The DEA Knows It
https://patients4medicalmarijuana.wordpress.com/2017/12/24/former-dea-spokeswoman-marijuana-is-safe-and-the-dea-knows-it/

As recreational marijuana becomes legal in California, Jewish advocates are ready
https://www.jweekly.com/2017/12/22/recreational-marijuana-becomes-legal-california-jewish-advocates-ready/

As Marijuana Industry Grows, Workers Begin to Unionize
https://ww2.kqed.org/news/2017/12/19/as-marijuana-industry-grows-workers-begin-to-unionize/?utm_source=social&utm_medium=Hootsuite&utm_campaign=UFCW

Legalization Activists Bring Advice, Weed to Lavallette Council Meeting
http://lavallette-seaside.shorebeat.com/2017/12/legalization-activists-bring-advice-weed-to-lavallette-council-meeting/

CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for December 12, 2017

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 
Lawrence Twp. Library, Rm. #1 
Tuesday, December 12, 2017 
7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

Approve November 2017 minutes. Discuss:

Governor-elect Phil Murphy reaffirms plans to legalize marijuana in the first 100 days of 2018! Who is contacting whom in the new Administration about moving forward with advances for patient access and decriminalization/expungement? Gov. Christie finishes his second term at noon on Jan. 16.
NJ’s legalization bill (S3195): Facebook’s “Friends of CMMNJ” letter template in support of home cultivation, addressing concerns. Also, Press Conference at Artworks, Trenton, 12/7/17 at 4:00 pm.

The Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP) Review Panel gave final approval to 43 petitions to add conditions (chronic pain, anxiety, migraines, and Tourette’s syndrome) to the MMP on 10/25/17. Now the DOH commissioner has 180 days to follow those recommendations. CUMMA amendments?

Marijuana Justice Act of 2017 (S1689): Congressional co-sponsors sought for Sen. Cory Booker’s federal bill. Take action: Capwiz from DPA and NORML.

Final 2017 Statehouse Podcast (100th) concluded with Thanksgiving Day lunch outside the Annex.

Political Prisoner Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion remains in jail awaiting retrial on hung jury charge.

Upcoming Events:
“CMMNJ TV” taping, Princeton TV studio, 1/18.
Patients Out of Time conference, Jersey City, NJ, May 10 – 12, 2018.
Recent Events: 5th year anniversary of medical marijuana availability in NJ—12/6/17.
Medical Cannabis Conference, Montego Bay Jamaica, Nov. 10 -15, 2017. Atecam.com

Treasury report: Checking: $3264; PayPal: $3292.

CMMNJ's meetings are the 2nd 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, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com http://www.cmmnj.org
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/

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

Monthly Public Meeting Minutes 
November 14, 2017

3 Board members in attendance- 7 others.  Oct. 2017 minutes approved.

All Items on Agenda covered-Notes of discussions below.

Election- Despite new Gov’s intent to sign a legalization Bill quickly, it is doubtful that legal MJ will be available for a year because of details to be worked out in Regs.  However, activists can push for tangential issues that can be immediately implemented such as prohibiting any arrests for use, expunging all use arrests and those for supplying friends (i.e., all those not major dealers).

Also, provision must be made to support minority representation in gaining licenses to sell with reduced license fees in minority communities and eliminating any bar due to MJ arrest or those charges related thereto (resisting arrest, etc).

 As part of legalization we can advocate for patient growing for own use and other useful expansions of the CUMMA (my note and eliminating many of the unjust burdens like requiring Dr. registrations-esp with Trump admin.)  On growing we should emphasize it was in the original Bill and unjustly eliminated in secret.

Review Panel Approvals- Main point is that we know Gov. Christie is running out the clock so we need to quickly contact new Health Commissioner to immediately sign approval-we have contacts (e.g. Bill Caruso) to get us an inside track. I recommended contacting the DOH transition team. There is no need to delay for the full 180 days. This can be done the first day the new Commissioner takes over if we do advance planning.

Appellate Court action – despite the euphoria I pointed out that the court did not mandate a change only instructed the Director that he had the ability and he should review his position. This is wasted on a Christie appointee.  Again-we need to have the new Admin take Immediate action on this as a priority -even if just to help patients with issues such as use on school grounds.

Podcast last one for this year (and the 100th) is on Thanksgiving and it will provide food. Hoping for media coverage and food donations.
Brunch on Nov 18th at Studio B in Trenton (formerly Prayer Brunch-and no Al Sharpton) Cost is $25. There are speakers. 
Jason has contacts in the Senate majority office we can use.  Jim reported that Scutari dropped charges against Lefty Grimes in Linden and he and Joanne will do a Bergen County forum on Nov. 16th. 

Next Meeting should specify who is contacting whom in the new Admin about moving forward with advances for patient access and discuss specifics.
Treasury report: Checking: $3434; PayPal: $3122.

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

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

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:


With Phil Murphy's win, it's 'full steam ahead' for legal marijuana
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/11/hold_murphys_victory_is_the_first_step_toward_a_ma.html

Supporters Say Recreational Marijuana Could Be Legal In New Jersey By Next Summer Thanks To Murphy Win
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/11/08/supporters-say-recreational-marijuana-could-be-legal-in-new-jersey-by-next-summer/

Marijuana legalization gets support with Murphy's win
http://newjersey.news12.com/story/36798931/marijuana-legalization-gets-support-with-murphys-win

Bamboozled: Could these medical marijuana scams come to N.J.? You bet
http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2017/11/bamboozled_could_these_medical_marijuana_scams_com.html

Letter: Countering Ocean City Prosecutor's Stance On Marijuana
https://patch.com/new-jersey/oceancity/letter-countering-ocean-city-prosecutors-stance-marijuana

Princeton resident is new head New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association board
https://planetprinceton.com/2017/11/16/princeton-resident-is-new-head-new-jersey-cannabis-industry-association-board/

Time to reclassify N.J.'s relationship with marijuana
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/time-to-reclassify-n-j-s-relationship-with-marijuana/article_21a11f52-5558-5095-a2fa-07e680541983.html

Amid talk of legalizing marijuana, one expert says 'slow down'
http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/paramus/2017/11/16/amid-push-legal-marijuana-in-one-expert-says-slow-down/868289001/

ASA: Medical Cannabis Access for Pain Treatment
https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/americansforsafeaccess/pages/8900/attachments/original/1470426683/Medical_Cannabis_Access_for_Pain_Treatment-_A_Viable_Strategy_to_Address_the_Opiod_Crisis_8-5-16__3_49.pdf?1470426683

Can Marijuana Alleviate the Opioid Crisis?
The federal government should stop blocking research into the drug’s medical potential.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-marijuana-alleviate-the-opioid-crisis-1511104543#comments_sector

Murphy's win boosts prospects for legal marijuana in New Jersey
http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/new-jersey/2017/11/24/marijuana-could-coming-new-jersey/849505001/

High time to legalize recreational marijuana in NJ
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2017/11/cannabis-article

Smell of new business in the weed industry luring N.J. lawyers
http://www.nj.com/marijuana/2017/12/lawyers_prepare_for_business_boom_if_weed_is_legal.html

Legalize weed? We should not empower an industry that profits from addiction | Opinion
http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/12/legalize_weed_we_should_not_empower_an_industry_that_profits_from_addiction_opinion.html

Ricardo Rivera of Tuffysfght.com
https://vimeo.com/245390762?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=28749

New Jersey Should Legalize Marijuana
https://www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform/drug-law-reform/new-jersey-should-legalize-marijuana

Will you be able to grow weed at home? Here's what we know about the N.J. pot bill
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2017/11/nj_marijuana_bill_could_soon_see_these_changes.html

Incoming NJ Gov. Murphy names head of cannabis trade group as chief of staff
http://www.thecannabist.co/2017/11/28/new-jersey-murphy-pete-cammarano/93376/

Murphy insists NJ will make marijuana legal — ‘We want to get this right’
http://nj1015.com/murphy-insists-nj-will-make-marijuana-legal-we-want-to-get-this-right/?trackback=tsmclip

NJ legal marijuana may also mean car insurance gets high
http://www.app.com/story/news/local/new-jersey/2017/11/27/nj-legal-marijuana-may-also-mean-car-insurance-gets-high/897275001/

CMMNJ / Sativa Cross FINALE! Feeding Trenton.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb2nh5rV3gU&feature=share

Rice on Marijuana Legalization: Proceed With Caution
http://www.njsendems.org/rice-on-marijuana-legalization-proceed-with-caution/

NJ panel OKs marijuana for more conditions
https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2017/11/nj-panel-oks-marijuana-for-more.html


Medical marijuana patients fight stigma to find relief
http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/7b3d0ba8-7152-11e7-ae8b-d7baa80e197f.html

Legalized Recreational Marjuana In NJ Might Not Be Available Soon
http://wbgo.org/post/legalized-recreational-marjuana-nj-might-not-be-available-soon#stream/0

Sativa Cross .com Ignorance Is No Excuse Potcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shvq5nIRYmc&feature=youtu.be

CMMNJ PSA
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B72GooQ_L415SUhYcXBmS2xfckU/view?ts=59e9f6c7

NJ panel OKs marijuana for more conditions

The Medicinal Marijuana Program Review Panel--five physicians, two pharmacists and one RN, who were appointed by the New Jersey Department of Health—gave their final approval on October 25th for the use of marijuana for a number of additional medical conditions.

Dr. Alex Bekker, MD, PhD, a professor and department chairman at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, led the panel of medical experts that approved marijuana therapy for chronic pain, anxiety, migraines, and Tourette's syndrome.

About one third of all Americans suffer from chronic pain at sometime in their lives. Indeed, 32 of the 45 petitions that the panel reviewed were related to chronic pain. In approving marijuana therapy for pain, the panel relied on over 400 peer-reviewed journal articles to make their evidence-based decision. The National Academy of Sciences also endorsed medical marijuana for chronic pain when “conventional therapies fail.” The panel noted the many side effects, and possible severe adverse effects, of both prescription opiates and over-the-counter pain relievers. The panel acknowledged that there were significantly fewer opiate overdose deaths in states with robust medical marijuana programs.

 
The panel said that opiate addiction is a “public health emergency” in America, the day before President Trump formally declared this emergency. Marijuana has been shown to be an effective substitute for pharmaceutical pain relievers and can also help ease the withdrawal from opiate addiction.

One of the chronic pain petitions that the panel approved was MMP-063, “Opioid Use Disorder.” This petition was submitted by Vanessa Waltz, a Board Member of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey. In approving this condition to qualify for marijuana therapy in the state's program, the panel recognized that marijuana, far from being a “gateway” to harder drug use, is actually an “exit drug.” In 1999, the Institute of Medicine thoroughly repudiated the Gateway Theory saying, “There is no conclusive evidence that the drug effects of marijuana are causally linked to the subsequent abuse of other illicit drugs.” Even the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) acknowledged in the July 8, 2011 Federal Register that there was no “direct causal relationship between regular marijuana and other illicit drug use.” The reality is that marijuana can be an exit drug from addicting and dangerous prescription drugs, from street drugs like heroin, and even from alcohol addiction and overuse.

The panel also approved anxiety, both primary and secondary anxiety (related to Autism and Alzheimer’s disease). The panel noted that anxiety can be debilitating. When anxiety does require pharmaceutical intervention, most conventional treatment is unacceptable. The benzodiazepams, or minor tranquilizers, for example, are widely abused and withdrawal from them can be life-threatening. Anti-depressants are often prescribed for anxiety, but they are not effective for two to six weeks, and anxiety is not a depressive illness. The panel felt that there was a significant place for marijuana in fighting anxiety.

Also given final approval by the panel were migraine headaches and Tourette’s syndrome. The panel cited articles and research by Dr. Ethan Russo in support of marijuana for migraines. Dr. Russo is one of the leading authorities in medical marijuana in the United States. In approving marijuana for Tourette’s, the panel noted that there currently is no accepted nor effective pharmacologic treatment for the syndrome. Only major tranquilizers (anti-psychotic or neuroleptics drugs) are prescribed, but Tourette’s is not a psychotic disorder.

The panel only rejected two petitions, MMP-020 Asthma, and MMP-055 Chronic fatigue syndrome. The panel was not convinced that there was sufficient evidence presented in the petitions to support including these two conditions in New Jersey’s Medicinal Marijuana Program.

The panel should be congratulated for its research, its thoroughness and its courageous adherence to evidence-based criteria in its decision making. When the science is objectively pursued, the therapeutic potential of medical marijuana is found to be enormous.

Now the commissioner of the Department of Health has 180 days to decide what, if any, of the panel’s final recommendations to accept. In recognition of the now formally declared public health emergency that is the opiate epidemic in America, the commissioner must act speedily in adopting the final recommendations of the panel. Lives are at stake.

Indeed, the entire country should follow the final recommendations of the experts in New Jersey’s Medicinal Marijuana Program Review Panel.

Public Comment Period on adding qualifying conditions to the Medicinal Marijuana Program

September 13, 2017

New Jersey Department of Health
Medicinal Marijuana Program
P.O. Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360
Attn: Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel

Re: Public Comment Period on adding qualifying conditions to the Medicinal Marijuana Program

To whom it may concern:

I want to thank the Medicinal Marijuana Review Panel (MMRP) for giving initial approval to 43 of the 45 petitions to add qualifying conditions to New Jersey’s Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP).

Members of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana—New Jersey (CMMNJ) submitted or contributed to eight of these petitions, seven of which were approved by the panel, so it was gratifying to see this affirmation of our efforts. The panel recognizes, as CMMNJ does, that there are a great many New Jersey residents who are currently suffering with conditions that could be helped by medical marijuana.

Our main concern is the agonizingly slow pace of the process to expand patient access to the MMP. It has been over one year since the Department of Health (DOH) accepted the petitions that it is now considering.  The MMRP made its initial recommendations to expand the program on 5/11/17, but it took two and a half months, until 7/25/17, for the DOH to post these recommendations on its web site and start the 60-day public comment period. These delays cause needless suffering.

CMMNJ urges the Commissioner of the DOH to end these delays and to adopt the final recommendations of the panel immediately, and not wait 180 days to do so. Thank you.

Sincerely,


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

NJ DOH Rules to Add Conditions that Qualify for Marijuana Therapy

SUBCHAPTER 5. ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL DEBILITATING MEDICAL CONDITIONS

8:64-5.1 Review cycle for accepting petitions for additional qualifying debilitating medical
condition

(a) The Commissioner shall take no action concerning the acceptance of petitions to approve other medical conditions or the treatment thereof as debilitating medical conditions pursuant to (b) below, before completing at least two annual reports required pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:64-4.2.
1. The Department shall publish notice of an open period to accept petitions in the New Jersey Register.
(b) The process for review of petitions to approve other medical conditions or the treatment thereof as debilitating medical conditions pursuant to the definition at N.J.S.A. 24:6I-3 of “debilitating medical condition” at paragraph (5) shall include one review cycle each year, subject to (a) above.
(c) The beginning of each cycle shall be the first business day of the month.
(d) The Department shall accept petitions on the first business day of each cycle.
(e) The Department shall return to the petitioner a petition submitted in any month outside of the review cycle as not accepted for processing.

8:64-5.2 Panel to review petitions and make recommendations for identification and approval of additional debilitating medical conditions; membership; responsibilities

(a) The Commissioner shall appoint a review panel (panel) to make recommendations to the Commissioner regarding approval or denial of a petition submitted pursuant to this subchapter.
(b) The panel shall consist of not more than 15 health care professionals, among whom shall be:
1. The President of the Board of Medical Examiners or the President’s designee; and
2. Other physicians and non-physicians who are knowledgeable about the condition as to which the petition seeks approval;
i. Each physician appointed to the review panel shall be nationally board-certified in his or her area of specialty; and
3. At least three physicians appointed to the review panel shall have expertise in pain and symptom management.
(c) The majority of the panel shall be physicians.
(d) The Department shall convene the panel at least once per year to review petitions.
1. The panel may examine scientific and medical evidence and research pertaining to the petition, and may gather information, in person or in writing, from other parties knowledgeable about the addition of the debilitating medical conditions being considered.
2. The petitioner shall be given the opportunity to address the panel in person or by telephone.
3. The petitioner may request that his or her individual identifiable health information remain
confidential.
4. The Department shall provide staff support to the panel and other administrative support.
5. The meetings will be considered open public meetings.
(e) The panel shall make a written recommendation to the Commissioner regarding approval or denial of the addition of a qualifying debilitating medical condition.
1. A quorum of the panel shall concur with the recommendation in order to be considered a final recommendation of the panel.
i. For purposes of this subsection, a majority of the members appointed and serving on the panel constitute a quorum.

8:64-5.3 Addition of qualifying debilitating medical condition

(a) In order for the petition to be accepted for processing, the petitioner shall send a letter by
certified mail to the Medicinal Marijuana Program that contains the following information:
1. The extent to which the condition is generally accepted by the medical community and other experts as a valid, existing medical condition;
2. If one or more treatments of the condition, rather than the condition itself, are alleged to be the cause of the patient’s suffering, the extent to which the treatments causing suffering are generally accepted by the medical community and other experts as valid treatments for the condition;
3. The extent to which the condition itself and/or the treatments thereof cause severe suffering, such as severe and/or chronic pain, severe nausea and/or vomiting or otherwise severely impair the patient’s ability to carry on activities of daily living;
4. The availability of conventional medical therapies other than those that cause suffering to alleviate suffering caused by the condition and/or the treatment thereof;
5. The extent to which evidence that is generally accepted among the medical community and other experts supports a finding that the use of marijuana alleviates suffering caused by the condition and/or the treatment thereof; and
6. Letters of support from physicians or other licensed health care professionals knowledgeable about the condition.
(b) Upon review of materials submitted pursuant to (a) above, the Commissioner shall make a
final determination as to whether:
1. The petition is frivolous and, if so, to deny a petition without further review; or
2. The petition is bona fide and, if so, to accept the petition for further review.
(c) If the petition is accepted, the Department shall refer the written petition to the review panel established pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:64-5.2.
(d) Within 60 days of the receipt of the petition, the review panel shall consider the petition in view of the factors identified in (a) above and shall issue an initial written recommendation to the Commissioner as to whether:
1. The medical condition and/or the treatment thereof is/are debilitating;
2. Marijuana is more likely than not to have the potential to be beneficial to treat or alleviate the debilitation associated with the medical condition and/or the treatment thereof; and
3. Other matters that the panel recommends that the Commissioner consider that are relevant to the approval or the denial of the petition.
(e) Upon receipt of the panel’s recommendation, the Department shall:
1. Post the review panel’s recommendations on the Department’s website for 60-day public comment period;
2. Post notice of a public meeting no fewer than 10 days prior to the public meeting; and
3. Hold a public hearing within the 60-day public comment period.
(f) After the public hearing, the Department shall forward the comments made during the public
hearing to the review panel for its consideration.
1. If, based on a review of the comments, the panel determines substantive changes should be
made to its initial recommendation, the Commissioner shall deny the petition and the Department shall provide the petitioner with a copy of the initial recommendation and an explanation of the substantive changes and the petitioner may resubmit the petition to the Department at any time.
2. If, based on a review of the comments, the panel determines to recommend no changes to its initial recommendation, the initial recommendation shall be deemed a final recommendation and the Commissioner will make a final determination on the petition within 180 days of receipt of the petition.

8:64-5.4 Denial of a petition considered final agency action subject to judicial review

(a) If a condition in a petition is the same as, or is, as determined by the Commissioner, substantially similar to a condition of which the Commissioner has issued a previous determination denying approval as a debilitating medical condition pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:64-5.3, the Commissioner may deny the new petition unless new scientific research supporting the
request is brought forward.
(b) A decision of the Commissioner issued pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:64-5.3 or this section is a final agency decision, of which jurisdiction and venue for judicial review are vested in the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division.

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