Showing posts with label psychedelics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label psychedelics. Show all posts

Monday, August 31, 2026

CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for September 8, 2026

 


CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for September 8, 2026 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85669860687?pwd=SclxHuR9kMm9OJ7adhSxVZD9xXFtce.1

Meeting ID: 856 6986 0687
Passcode: 762252

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

Agenda: New Jersey Issues

New Jersey Homegrow: What Cannabis Enthusiasts Need to Know. Bipartisan bills are pending in the legislature, and the NJ Senate and Assembly return to work on 9/10/26:   

S2564/ A4576 (Adult Use, 6 plants + Medical Use, 10 plants) in Senate Judiciary, and Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committees:

  • Recreational users: Must be 21+ years old, no registration required.
  • Medical patients: Must be registered in the NJ Medicinal Cannabis Program, no registration for cultivation required.
  • Caregivers: Can cultivate same plant limits on behalf of patients. 

S1758/ A1674 (Medical Only) – Currently in the Senate Health, Human Services Committee and Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committees:

  • Medical patients: Must be registered in the NJ Medicinal Cannabis Program, must notify CRC of cultivation intent;
  • Caregivers: Must be registered with the CRC, same plant limits apply;
  • Registration requirement: CRC maintains a registry of home cultivators. 

Current New Jersey status: Criminal offense for growing any cannabis plants:

  • 1-10 plants: 3-5 years in prison, up to $25,000 fine; 
  • 10-49 plants: 5-10 years in prison, up to $150,000 fine; 
  • 50+ plants: up to 20 years prison, & $300,000 fine. 

Rutgers Eagleton Cannabis Survey, March 2023: “It should be legal for an adult to grow cannabis for personal use”--39.5% strongly agreed and an additional 23.6% of respondents somewhat agreed with this statement.

MPP: All but three of the other 23 legalization states allow home cultivation! Tell your lawmakers to support S2564/A4576. MoveOn: Legalize Cannabis Home Grow in the state of New Jersey. Open Letter to Governor Sherrill: please issue a Moratorium on arrests for small medical gardens of cannabis in New Jersey. 

NORML: Assembly Bill 1291 establishes additional requirements for cannabis testing laboratories to assure that consumers are not exposed to mislabeled or contaminated products. Send email. 

NJ Bill S3452/ A1642 To strengthen Employment Protections for Medical Marijuana Patients. 

NJ can’t force cannabis companies to sign pacts with labor unions, firm says. 

Weed in Atlantic City: Dispensaries, Boardwalk Rules & Casino Policies 

CMMNJ Upcoming Events (volunteers always welcome):

Federal Drug Policy Reform:

Americans for Safe Access: September is ASA’s Cannabis Safety Month, a national public education campaign to address cannabis safety concerns with compassion, credible information, and practical solutions.

Monthly Federal Policy Advisory Meeting—9/17/26, 1 -2 pm; Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 832 3434 4732; Passcode: 217838.

Medical Cannabis Patients Federal Rights--ensure those rights are respected. Register to Vote here: Register to Vote!                 

Marijuana Policy Project: Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), which would fully de-schedule cannabis, removing it from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Booker and Trump Are in Opposite Directions on Federal Cannabis Policy On average, legalization states’ cannabis arrest rates have dropped 85.53%. 

More Americans now use marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis than either alcohol or cigarettes. 

Cannabis industry encouraged as DEA rescheduling hearings conclude

FDA & HHS: Public Hearing - "Considerations for Potential Future Therapeutic Use of Psychedelic Drugs" on September 14th, 2026, 12:30 – 4:30 pm. To attend and present, register via the FDA website. Written comments must be in by 10/5/26. 

FDA is supporting the development of psychedelic drugs, including new treatments for serious mental health conditions. States Should Start Planning Now For FDA Approval Of Psychedelics. 

Harm Reduction and Risk Management; Drug Policy Facts. August 31 was International Overdose Action Day. “Trenton needs to reassess response to illegal drugs” By Ken Wolski, For The Trentonian: “Violence in Trenton can be greatly reduced by ending the War on Drugs.” 

Legalize All Drugs: 4 minute YouTube video.

U.S. military sinks ship used as refueling station for alleged drug-trafficking boats. 

Federally Funded Cancer Study Highlights Need To Cover Medical Marijuana Under Insurance. 

Hospital and Institutional Access: Ken asked: When will medicinal cannabis be integrated into the Capital Health System (CHS)? CHS said they formed a committee to implement in-patient and out-patient use of medicinal cannabis! 

NJ patients in hospitals, nursing homes, state institutions, group homes and hospice need access to medical cannabis. The 2019 “Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act" called for immediate implementation of “Institutional caregivers” in the state.  

NJ Medicinal Cannabis Insurance Bills: 

  • A1023/S3984: Requires workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances.
  • S1792: Establishes program to subsidize purchase price of medical cannabis for registered patients enrolled in Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs.
  • S4023: Allows costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO. 

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

Medicinal Cannabis Program Participation (as of 8/15/2026)

Treasury report: $7,324.

CMMNJ BlogSpot: Fundraiser to Support Senior Harm-Reduction

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

Or scan:

Image

The goal of CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is to have safe, legal, and affordable access to all plant medicine for all qualified New Jersey patients, and to end the ineffective and counterproductive War on Drugs.

CMMNJ was instrumental in getting the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act introduced into the New Jersey Legislature in 2005 and signed into law in 2010. Legal sales of medical marijuana in the state began on December 6, 2012.

In 2014, CMMNJ’s Board of Directors endorsed legalization of marijuana since legalization is the best way to get this essential medicine to the most people. Legalization will also start to undo the harm that is caused by drug prohibition. In 2021, New Jersey became the 14th state in the U.S. to fully legalize marijuana.

CMMNJ’s ongoing goals include home cultivation rights; insurance coverage; and hospital & institutional access for medical cannabis, along with safe and legal access to all plant medicine.

Please support our work and keep CMMNJ alive through 2026!

More info: 

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

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

Twitter/X: @CMM_NJ

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

CMMNJ website: https://cmmnj.org/

CMMNJ Awards:

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

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

2023: Ken Wolski won a Lifetime Achievement award;

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

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



Tuesday, November 4, 2025

CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for November 11, 2025

 


CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for November 11, 2025 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85928841048?pwd=ZArHR7wisYBNCDGREXa5W1dtQ4MuWq.1

Meeting ID: 859 2884 1048
Passcode: 952004

One tap mobile

+1 (301) 715-8592, 85928841048#,*952004# US (Washington DC)

+1 (305) 224-1968, 85928841048#,*952004# US

Join instructions

https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/85928841048/invitations?signature=i8D_WWYlNZ73qXTtN66wnRn6qcK87B8oeIZECcAZKWc

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

Agenda: New Jersey Issues:

How will NJ’s next Governor deal with drug policy reform issues? Continuing cannabis reform, access to psychedelics, and pursuit of failed War on Drugs?

CannaCoverage: Reasons to Offer Medical Cannabis as an Employee Benefit; NABIP: National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals programs. 

S4779: transfers cannabis regulations from the CRC to a new Division of State Cannabis Oversight, Regulation, and Enforcement (SCORE) in the Dept. of Law and Public Safety, to bring enforcement actions against unlicensed cannabis businesses. 

CMMNJ tabled at Community Fest 2025 at The College of New Jersey.

Sign the Petition: Legalize Medical Home Cultivation for NJ Patients Now!

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

Let Advanced Practice Nurses Recommend Medical Cannabis: NORML petition

 The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

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

Watch on Zoom or on YouTube

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

CRC: Your guide to cannabis consumption areas

Medicinal Cannabis Program Participation (as of 10/15/2025)

  • Total patients: 54,924
  • Caregivers: 3,505
  • Doctors: 1,552

 Federal and International Drug Policy Reform:

ASA: Why Home Cultivation Matters for Patients and Federal Policy Advisory Group summary (PowerPoint). More about the Federal Government Shutdown. ASA's New Action Group: United for National Medical Cannabis.

Ireland’s Vera Twomey: Medicinal cannabis must be administered by staff in healthcare institutions and become part of the patient's healthcare record.

DEA Promotes Ad Blaming Marijuana Laced With Fentanyl For OD Deaths

Federal Study: Access To Legal Marijuana Shops Leads To Reduced Heavy Alcohol Use

Groundbreaking Mushroom Study Delivers New Hope For Epilepsy

Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC) 3rd Annual Medical Cannabis Conference,

Metropolitan State University of Denver, October 24– October 25.

 Upcoming events:

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

http://www.eventbrite.com/e/1486489402819/?discount=GaetanoVirtual

This will be an outstanding event discussing research and roadmaps for psychedelics and medical cannabis.

Gaetano “Guy” Lardieri

973.344.1221(Office)

201.259.9164 (Cell)


NJ League of Municipalities, Annual Conference, Atlantic City, 11/18-20

CMMNJ’s ongoing goals:

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

Petition: End the Blockade on NJ Senate bill S1393; no committee hearing scheduled yet. Sign NORML’s S1393 Action Alert.


Hospital and Institutional Access:

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

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

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

Treasury report: $8,888.

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

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

Or scan:

Image

More info: 

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

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

Twitter/X: @CMM_NJ

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

CMMNJ website: https://cmmnj.org/

CMMNJ Awards:

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

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

2023: Ken Wolski won a Lifetime Achievement award;

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

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

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for February 11, 2025

 


CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for February 11, 2025 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: ID: 842 3542 0151   Passcode: 529650 Or, click: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84235420151?pwd=qf61kWMsUFnjRbpACljcwYEIw32Bgd.1

One tap mobile: +1 305.224.1968; ID: 842 3542 0151# Passcode: *529650# 

Agenda:  

NJ Governor's race: Cannabis missing at first forum; Six Democrats took part: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Rep. Miki Sherrill, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, NJEA's Sean Spiller, and former NJ Senate President Steve Sweeny. The next debate is on 2/4 for the current Republican candidates. 

NJ Office of the Attorney General: Your correspondence will be reviewed by the Office of Constituent Services. If you have not received a reply within 10 business days, to speak to an OCS representative, please call 609-984-5828:

“Please recognize that for some medical marijuana patients, homegrow is a necessity. It is a matter of survival for them, and it serves no public policy to prosecute such patients. New Jersey law enforcement officers should be advised not to arrest patients who have a modest homegrow, for example, in a plot that is less than, or equal to, 10 feet by 10 feet in area. It is essential to avoid burdening patients with a criminal record for an offense that will not exist in the foreseeable future.”

Legacy to Legal Cannabis Pathways Explored at Heady NJ Forum. 

Guy Lardieri is hosting a series of talks on Psychedelics. His premiere podcast on TalkRadioNYC was 2/4/25 with Denise Rue - MA, MFA, MSW - Founder, New Jersey Psychedelics Therapy Association. See: The Happy Spot - A Therapist Insights and Perspective on Psychedelics

Chris Goldstein's survey of dispensary menus shows NJ's products are far more expensive than in Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York. . 

Cannabis Research Institute, William Paterson University Webinars.

Love and the Endocannabinoid System

Cannabis: The Last Option No One Mentions: Ben Caplan, MD

Breakwater Treatment and Wellness, based in Cranbury, wants to begin selling legal weed to adult-use customers at their satellite dispensary in Roselle Park.

“Now that the state’s legal cannabis industry (is) doing $1 billion in yearly sales, it is time for Murphy to enhance his legacy by asking state Senate President Nick Scutari to advance S-1393, (the) bill to authorize home cultivation of medical-use cannabis.” LTE  Neil Vincent Scheck, Belmar

Let Advanced Practice Nurses Recommend Medical Cannabis: NORML Petition (please sign)

End the Blockade on NJ Senate bill S1393: Homegrow petition (please sign) 

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

Next meeting: Thursday, March 6, 2025 will be virtual.

Growth, Equity, and Impact: NJ-CRC 2024 Year in Review

Current job opportunities with the NJ-CRC: Investigator Trainee.

There are reports that patients are waiting 1-2 months simply for the issuance of the digital patient ID card. Also there is the lack of clarity regarding patients with out-of-state medical ID cards. Is there any more info on this?

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

Federal Drug Policy Reform: 

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of HHS, says he will defer to the DEA on marijuana rescheduling if confirmed.

The new head of the DEA, Derek Maltz, who retired from the agency in 2014 after 28 years of service, claims that cannabis is a gateway drug and the rescheduling push is politically motivated. DEA has 10,000 employees.

Administrative hearings on the rescheduling proposal that were scheduled to begin on 1/21/25 have been delayed at least three months, with a DEA judge granting an appeal from pro-reform witnesses amid allegations of improper communications between DEA and rescheduling opponents.

Sen. Warren (D-MA) is urging Elon Musk, chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to target “unnecessary” federal enforcement against marijuana consumers and businesses as a key to reduce spending hundreds of millions of dollars each year by the federal government.

60 Minutes joined nine veterans to the west coast of Mexico for a psychedelic journey they hoped would finally help ease their pain.

CMMNJ’s medical cannabis ongoing goals:

Insurance bills:

  • S1944: Costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO. The bills passed both Health Committees and are in the Senate and Assembly Budget and Oversight Committees. 
  • S1943/A4371: Requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage.
  • A898/S2828: Subsidize medical cannabis in Medicaid or NJ Family Care.

Home cultivation bills: Website: https://www.letpatientsgrownj.com/
  • S1393/A846: Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis.
  • A414: Legalizes possession of six marijuana plants for personal use.
  • S1985: Legalizes six plants for personal use and 10 plants for medical.
Hospital and Institutional Access: 

NJ patients in hospitals, nursing homes, state institutions, group homes and hospice are unable to access medical cannabis. Patient outcomes would improve, and health care costs would be reduced if these patients had access to medical cannabis.

Psychedelic research and the safe use of psychedelics:

A3852/S2283 "Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act"

Upcoming Events: 

Educational event, Hub 13, Feb. 8th, 5 to 8 pm (afterparty 8-11) panels (financial literacy and home grow), seed/clone prep demonstrations, food drive, seed swap, favorite strain competition (legal/seeds), raffles, masseuse, dab bar (HFX featuring MPX), food available by Manja la Ganja.
Earth Day event/press conference at the Statehouse, 4/22/25(?). 4/20/25=Easter.
2025 LGBTQ+ Pride, Asbury Park, Sun., June 1st, Noon-7pm.  Volunteers?
Health Summit, public cannabis education, S. Jersey, 8/2-3/25. Elucidation 
Patients Out of Time: From Prohibition to Recognition, Charlottesville, VA, 9/14-16

Treasury report: 

Checking: $9,550; PayPal: $888. 

January 13, 2025

Jesse Marie Villars 
Baked by the River
8 Church Street
Lambertville, NJ 08530

Dear Jessie:

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. (CMMNJ), I would like to personally thank you for your very generous donation of $484. This includes $242 in donations raised from hemp bracelets in your store, and a $242 donation matched by Baked by the River. As CMMNJ is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, your donation is income tax deductible. All funds donated to CMMNJ are used to provide education about the medical benefits of marijuana/cannabis.

Your donation will aid CMMNJ in working towards our post-legalization goals, including:

    • Home cultivation rights;
    • Establishing insurance coverage for medical cannabis; and,
    • Providing medical cannabis to qualified hospitalized and institutionalized residents.

With your support, we are confident that CMMNJ will achieve its mission of having safe and legal access to medical cannabis for all New Jersey residents who can benefit from this therapeutic agent. Greater access to cannabis will make New Jersey a healthier, wealthier, and safer state.

Thanks again, Jessie!

Fundraising ideas are always welcome. Hemp wristbands available!
Make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal to info@cmmnj.org, 
or send a check to: CMMNJ, 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618.

Or scan:

More info: 

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com 
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/
Twitter: @CMM_NJ
CMMNJ blog: https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/ 

Website: Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey website being redesigned. Join the “CMMNJ Tech Team” to help with website, etc. Text Nick Mellis @ 609.331.9304

CMMNJ awards:

2021: NJ Governor's Jefferson Award in the Volunteer Group category;
2023: NJ State Governor's Volunteerism Award in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Champion for Justice Category "for extraordinary service to your community;"
2023: Ken Wolski won a Lifetime Achievement award;
2023: NJ Senate and Assembly Joint Legislative Resolution affirmed CMMNJ's importance as a "catalyst for the legalization of both medical and recreational marijuana in the State" and paid “tribute to all who have contributed to its success and renown.”

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