CMMNJ July 2012 Agenda & June Minutes

 

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda 

Lawrence Township Library, Room #3

Tuesday, July 10, 2012; 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

7:00 PM:  Call meeting to order.   Approve June 2012 minutes.  Discuss:

New Jersey Assembly passes A1465, a bill to Decriminalize Possession of 15 grams of Marijuana on 6/25/12.  In the NJ Senate, Sen. Scutari introduces S1977 to decriminalize 50 grams of marijuana.  Gov. Christie vows to veto the legislation when it gets to his desk.

ATC update: Camden Zoning Board sued over medical marijuana rejection.  Montclair ATC reportedly growing marijuana.  Egg Harbor Township ATC to start growing this summer?  Update on lawsuit on behalf of a NJ medical patient who would qualify for cannabis access.

New Hampshire governor John Lynch vetoed medical marijuana bill SB 409 on 6/21/12 after the bill passed both houses of the legislature.

NJ Medical Marijuana current court cases: 

Eric Hafner, on-going Middletown, NJ case.  

Colleen Begley’s case in Burlington Co.

Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion: hung jury on distribution charge.  Freed awaiting retrial.   

John Wilson released to Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) after about 4 months in prison--gagged from discussing medical marijuana.  ACLU contacted.

Upcoming events: NORML NJ meeting, 7 pm, July 9 at the Ale House, New Brunswick, NJ.

July 4th SSDP Day of Action (see below).  Aug. 2, Slightly Stoopid Tour, Holmdel, NJ.

Treasury report: Checking: $2754; PayPal: $3353. 

CMMNJ 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.  Snacks are served.  (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. 

219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618   

(609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com www.cmmnj.org

 
 

Monthly Public Meeting Minutes

Lawrence Library

June 12, 2012  

7:00 PM:  Call meeting to order. May 2012 minutes approved. Discussion:

ATC update: Montclair ATC reportedly growing marijuana.  No other ATC has permit to grow—“they face more hurdles than a track meet.”  No update on lawsuit filed on 4/4/12 by NORML NJ attorneys on behalf of a NJ medical patient who would qualify for cannabis access. The State may have requested a delay.

New Jersey Moves to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession: A1465 passes Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously on 5/21/12.  CMMNJ supporters testify at hearing.

Connecticut became the 17th Medical Marijuana State on June 1, 2012.

Vanessa Waltz met with Congressman Holt on 6/5/12 re: ongoing federal obstruction of marijuana research for cancer patients research and for veterans with PTSD.  Larry Vargo represented CMMNJ at the Million Marijuana March, May 19 in Philadelphia. 

NJ Medical Marijuana current court cases: Eric Hafner, on-going Middletown, NJ case.  

Colleen Begley’s case in Burlington Co. with Mark Claudy—trial may start December 4.

Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion; hung jury on distribution charge.  Freed awaiting retrial.   

John Wilson released to Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) after about 4 months in prison. 

Forbidden by the State to discuss medical marijuana while in ISP.  ACLU to be contacted. 

Chris Goldstein resigned from the CMMNJ Board on 6/8/12. We are sorry to lose him. Vanessa Waltz and Larry Vargo joined CMMNJ’s Advisory Board pending full Board status.

Upcoming events: NORML NJ meeting, 7 pm, June 11 at the Ale House, New Brunswick, NJ.

July 4th SSDP Day of Action.  Aug. 2, Slightly Stoopid Tour, Holmdel, NJ.

Treasury report: Checking: $2647; PayPal: $3339. 

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA, Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana—New Jersey, Inc.

219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618   (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com www.cmmnj.org

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Alternative Treatment Centers:

Egg Harbor Township medical marijuana facility could begin growing plants this summer

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/eht/egg-harbor-township-medical-marijuana-facility-could-begin-growing-plants/article_c7075690-bb24-11e1-8079-0019bb2963f4.html

Building owner sues Camden over its rejection of his medical-marijuana application

http://articles.philly.com/2012-06-29/news/32457932_1_zoning-board-zoning-officer-marijuana-dispensaries

No link between medical marijuana outlets and crime, new study finds

http://www.healthcanal.com/substance-abuse/29973-link-between-medical-marijuana-outlets-and-crime-new-study-finds.html

Decriminalization:

NJ Assembly passes bill easing pot punishments

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57460511/nj-assembly-passes-bill-easing-pot-punishments/

NJ Assembly passes bill easing pot punishments

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/NJ-Assembly-passes-bill-easing-pot-punishments-3660426.php

Christie says he'd veto pot decriminalization bill

http://www.njherald.com/story/18859696/christie-says-hed-veto-pot-decriminalization-bill

Gov. Chris Christie says he'll veto bill to decriminalize marijuana

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/gov_chris_christie_says_hell_v.html

Marijuana and NJ Gov. Chris Christie: Perfect together?

http://www.trentonian.com/article/20120626/OPINION03/120629779/marijuana-and-nj-gov-chris-christie-perfect-together&pager=full_story

Will New Jersey Legalize Marijuana? [AUDIO/POLL]

http://nj1015.com/will-new-jersey-make-legalize-marijuana-chris-christie-says-no-audio/

‘The Daily Show’ Calls Out Gov. Christie Over Differing Stances On Gambling And Marijuana

http://www.theweedblog.com/the-daily-show-calls-out-gov-christie-over-differing-stances-on-gambling-and-marijuana/

Dr. Jeffrey S. Pollack / Meaningful marijuana reform would be socially positive

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/commentary/dr-jeffrey-s-pollack-meaningful-marijuana-reform-would-be-socially/article_d3e45a2a-9a0f-5dd9-ab3b-2fc3d1b97a80.html

Angelini: Decriminalizing Marijuana Sends Wrong Message

http://rumson.patch.com/articles/angelini-decriminalizing-marijuana-sends-wrong-message

JD: Jersey struggles over legalizing pot

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/jd-jersey-struggles-over-legalizing-pot/article_f318adbe-5f1b-5e44-b8bd-0be1c6d6647c.html

It's Time for a Veto Proof Majority

http://www.normlnj.org//blog/uncategorized/2012-06-26/its-time-for-a-veto-proof-majority/

Extra:

Time: 10 Reasons to Revisit Marijuana Policy Now

http://healthland.time.com/2012/06/14/10-reasons-to-revisit-marijuana-policy-now/?iid=hl-main-lede#all

The Silver Tour: Teaching Seniors the Benefits of Medical Marijuana

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=nw8pmmjab&v=001FxA2hImTfo3mt0eAUHuMVuhwagwiRvRW5evLNHVuNWdsQTk2TPqJg6xhd0hgnE-dIEQCWwdbFsazHnLU2wXEwDGYPYPwrpB86HCF9IIE52Y%3D

NH Gov. John Lynch Vetoes Popular Medical Marijuana Bill

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/politics/2012-election/nh-gov-john-lynch-vetoes-popular-medical-marijuana-bill#

CT: Legal Marijuana: No Market Until 2013; Tight Restrictions Assured

http://www.courant.com/business/hc-medical-marijuana-regulations-20120627,0,488826.story

Americans Support Ending Federal Crackdown on Medical Marijuana

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2012/05/17/americans-support-ending-federal-crackdown-on-medical-marijuana

Marijuana Decriminalization: Efforts To Relax Pot Rules Gaining Momentum In U.S.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/10/marijuana-decriminalizati_n_1584739.html

The Anti-Science Streak in Federal Marijuana Policy

http://www.smoke-in.org/mj/?q=node%2F1223

Symbolic drug-law reform

http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2012/07/symbolic_drug-law_reform.html

SSDP’s Fourth of July Day of Action:

I'm here to give you more details about exactly what you can do to make the Fourth of July Day of Action campaign as effective as possible. You are in a great area for making change happen, so your participation will be especially valuable.

New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District is represented by Republican Representative Chris Smith. He voted "No" on the Rohrabacher-Hinchey-McClintock-Farr Act, demonstrating his support for continuing raids against medical marijuana dispensaries. 

Five New Jersey Congressional Republicans voted “No”: LoBiondo, Runyan, Smith, Lance, and

Frelinghysen.  (Roll Call is available at: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll238.xml  )

You may be able to find events where they may show up on July 4th by searching on Google.

Alternatively, below are the Twitter accounts for Republican Representative Jon Runyan and Republican Representative Frank LoBiondo, who may also be in your area on July 4th and voted "No" on the Farr amendment. These accounts could provide information about where the Representatives will be on Independence Day, as they may be somewhere else other than the above event, so you should check this account in the days leading up to and including July 4th.

http://twitter.com/#!/repjonrunyan /http://twitter.com/#!/runyan2012 (NJ 3)

http://twitter.com/#!/replobiondo/ (NJ 2)

(Ken Wolski) has flyers for Representative Runyan to share with others. Remember that your overarching goal is to find him (or any of the others) and get him on camera with his response to why he opposes the use of medical marijuana. The purpose of the flyers is to educate others and potentially influence them to record him on record as well.

A great quote to pull is from Michele Leonhart, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, who recently said in a congressional questioning session that the use of medical marijuana is between a patient and his doctor. One question you could ask is, "Michele Leonhart, Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration, recently stated that the decision to use medical marijuana is between a patient and his doctor. If this is the case, and a patient's doctor recommends the use of marijuana for a debilitating illness, why do you oppose this?"

If you have any questions or need help of any sort, feel free to respond here or call me. 

Thanks again!

Justin Kander, Intern

Students for Sensible Drug Policy

1317 F Street NW, Suite 501 Washington DC 20004

(202)-393-5280 www.SchoolsNotPrisons.com

Cell: 410-967-1832

Skype: justin.kander

June 25, 2012

Dear Governor Christie, 

I am a cancer patient who would qualify for medical marijuana under New Jersey’s Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. However, as you know, this program has not yet been implemented. So if I use marijuana to help alleviate my chronic pain, I am considered a criminal. This simply does not make sense to me. 

I do not like to use the narcotic painkillers and sleep aids prescribed legally by my doctors. These drugs have terrible side effects, prevent me from being able to work at my home-based business, and present a real threat of chemical dependency. 

I am glad that you have spoken out against incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders, but I am not a person who needs drug counseling or treatment for marijuana use. I am simply a responsible adult who wishes to use a natural herb to treat my painful symptoms rather than highly addictive and dangerous narcotics.

I watched from the gallery today as the New Jersey Legislature voted 44-30 to decriminalize possession of a small amount of marijuana. Knowing that you have stated you would veto a decriminalization bill, I was very disappointed that this measure didn’t pass with a veto-proof majority. I am deeply saddened not only for myself, but for the other patients in our state who are suffering. 

You, the Governor of our great state, have the power to help people like me. You have the choice to remove the risk of arrest and incarceration for patients who do not want to be criminals. Please reconsider your position and help to bring compassionate relief to so many in the great state of New Jersey.

I truly hope that the aide or intern who opens this letter decides to show it to you, and that you take the time to read it and consider that many of your constituents are in the same position as I am. We don’t want to be criminals, we don’t need drug counseling, and we just want our medicine.

Sincerely,

Vanessa Waltz

Princeton, NJ

CMMNJ Agenda for June 2012

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda
Lawrence Township Library, Room #3
Tuesday, June 12, 2012; 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

7:00 PM:  Call meeting to order.   Approve May 2012 minutes.  Discuss:

ATC update: Montclair ATC growing marijuana?  No other ATC has permit to grow.  Update on lawsuit filed on 4/4/12 by NORML NJ attorneys Wm. Buckman and Anne Davis on behalf of a New Jersey medical patient who would qualify for cannabis access.

New Jersey Moves to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession; A1465 passes Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously on 5/21/12.  CMMNJ supporters testify at hearing.

Connecticut Becomes 17th Medical Marijuana State, June 1, 2012.

Vanessa Waltz met with Congressman Holt on 6/5/12 re: medical marijuana trial for veterans with PTSD and ongoing federal obstruction of marijuana research.  Larry Vargo represented CMMNJ at the Million Marijuana March, May 19 in Philadelphia.

NJ Medical Marijuana current court cases:

Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion convicted of possession; hung jury on distribution charge.  Freed awaiting retrial.   

John Wilson released to Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) after about 4 months in prison.

On-going cases: Eric Hafner, Middletown, NJ; Colleen Begley, Burlington County.

Upcoming events: NORML NJ meeting, 7 pm, June 11 at the Ale House, New Brunswick, NJ.

Treasury report: Checking: $2647; PayPal: $3339. 

CMMNJ 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.  Snacks are served.  (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. 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618   (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com www.cmmnj.org

 
Monthly Public Meeting Minutes

Lawrence Library
May 8, 2012  

7:00 PM:  Call meeting to order. April 2012 minutes approved. Discussion:

ATC update: Montclair ATC to start growing marijuana.  Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) released a list of registered physicians on 4/16.  Egg Harbor ATC, nor any other ATC, still has not received permit to grow.  Camden update: lawsuit pending against Zoning Board for refusal to approve ATC. 

On April 4, NORML NJ attorneys William Buckman and Anne Davis filed a lawsuit on behalf of a New Jersey medical patient who would qualify for cannabis access.  CMMNJ is not part of the lawsuit, but supports it.  Update awaited; delays expected.

Update re: medical marijuana trial for veterans with PTSD.  Get NIDA out of the loop.

CMMNJ attended Ramapo College “Greenfest” on 4/20/12, thanks to Larry Vargo.

Vanessa Waltz wrote a letter to her Breast Cancer Survivor’s Group re: medical marijuana.

NJ Medical Marijuana current court cases:

Eric Hafner, on-going Middletown, NJ case. 

Rally for Ed (NJWeedman) Forchion, Burlington Co. Court, Mt Holly, May 1, 2012 @ 8 am.  Colleen Begley’s case also in Burlco.

Write to inmate John Wilson #716024B, Jones Farm, P.O. Box 7100, West Trenton, NJ 08628 

Events: Million Marijuana March, May 19 in Philadelphia.

NORML NJ meeting at 7 pm on May 14 at the Ale House, New Brunswick, NJ.

Seventh National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, 4/26-28/12, Tucson, AZ.

Treasury report: Checking: $2647; PayPal: $3339. 

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA, Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana—New Jersey, Inc. 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618   (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com www.cmmnj.org

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Alternative Treatment Centers:

The New Herb in Town

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/03/realestate/new-jersey-in-the-region-housing-medicinal-marijuana.html

Medical Marijuana Court Cases:

Man with multiple sclerosis who grew pot is out of prison after 5 months

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/multiple_sclerosis_man_who_gre.html

New Jersey medical marijuana grower freed from jail

http://newyork.newsday.com/news/health/new-jersey-medical-marijuana-grower-freed-from-jail-1.3757141

Prosecutor: NJWeedman is a "charlatan ... a wolf in hemp clothing"

http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/mount_holly/prosecutor-njweedman-is-a-charlatan-a-wolf-in-hemp-clothing/article_9afe059c-495c-5c99-97be-07a015b51b32.html

 

'NJWeedman' Convicted of Pot Possession

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/11/tagblogsfindlawcom2012-lawandlife-idUS309184361920120511

NJWeedman asks court to set aside guilty verdict

http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/crime/njweedman-to-asks-court-to-set-aside-guilty-verdict/article_6b336f48-d7ec-56d7-b6f4-f219067eed8e.html

Decriminalization:

Changing pot law in Jersey:  http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2012/05/changing_pot_law_in_jersey.html

Editorial: Reduce N.J. marijuana possession penalities to fit the crime:  http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2012/05/editorial_decriminalize_mariju.html

New Jersey Moves to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession:  http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/drug-law/breaking-bill-decriminalize-marijuana-possession-moves-forward-new-jersey

Pot decriminalization advances:  http://www.app.com/article/20120522/NJNEWS1002/305220020/Pot-decriminalization-advances

Decriminalizing pot is a logical move for state:  http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20120522/OPINION01/305220014

The Record: Time to exhale

http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/152189325_Time_to_exhale.html 

Panel approves bill to decriminalize small amounts of pot:  http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/panel-approves-bill-to-decriminalize-small-amounts-of-pot/article_c71e67a5-a52d-5690-b837-9626e4f288cc.html

Cutting marijuana penalties cuts incarceration costs:  http://articles.philly.com/2012-05-27/news/31860314_1_marijuana-drug-arrests-small-amounts

NY pot plan: Right step or bad message?  http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/justice/ny-marijuana-law/index.html

Should Smoking Marijuana be Decriminalized? [POLL]

http://millburn.patch.com/articles/should-smoking-marijuana-be-decriminalized-poll

Extra:

Connecticut Becomes 17th Medical Marijuana State

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/health/addiction/connecticut-becomes-17th-medical-marijuana-state

Newark Mayor Cory Booker declares support for medical marijuana

http://presstv.com/usdetail/242940.html

A Judge’s Plea for Pot:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/opinion/a-judges-plea-for-medical-marijuana.html

Bipartisan Amendment to Defund Obama Medical Marijuana Raids

http://www.allgov.com/US_and_the_World/ViewNews/Bipartisan_Amendment_to_Defund_Obama_Medical_Marijuana_Raids_120514

Republican Led House Votes to Continue Medical Marijuana Raids: http://www.theweedblog.com/republican-led-house-votes-to-continue-medical-marijuana-raids/

Medical Marijuana Raids To Continue After House Defeats Defunding Bill:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/10/medical-marijuana-raids-defunding-bill-_n_1507978.html

Decriminalize possession of small amount of marijuana

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey Inc. (CMMNJ) supports Assembly Bill A1465, which decriminalizes possession of 15 grams of marijuana or less. This bill will provide a level of protection for thousands of sick, disabled and dying patients that New Jersey’s medical marijuana law does not provide.

The mission of CMMNJ is to educate the public about the medical benefits of marijuana. Since CMMNJ was founded in 2003, board members have taken a strictly neutral stance on the issue of broader legalization of marijuana. But at this time, the board of CMMNJ has endorsed A1465 for these reasons:

• More than two years have passed since the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law, yet not a single patient has received legal medical marijuana.
• Patients continue to be arrested and imprisoned in this state for using medical marijuana illegally to treat their medical conditions. 
• Countless patients who could benefit from medical marijuana are currently disqualified from participating in New Jersey’s medicinal marijuana program and will continue to be disqualified for the foreseeable future.

A1465 will receive its first public, legislative hearing in the Assembly Judiciary Committee today at 10 a.m. in the Statehouse Annex. CMMNJ urges the committee members to approve the bill.

-- Ken Wolski, RN, MPA,
Trenton
The writer is executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey Inc. (cmmnj.org).

http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2012/05/times_of_trenton_letters_to_th_346.html

See also: (CMMNJ) Testimony in Support of A1465:

 http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2012/05/testimony-in-support-of-a1465.html

MS Patient John Wilson Released to ISP

New Jersey multiple sclerosis (MS) patient John Ray Wilson was released from a New Jersey Department of Corrections minimum security facility yesterday to the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP).  Wilson served over four months of his 5-year prison sentence at the DOC.   Wilson will spend approximately 16 months in the ISP, if he is successful in the program.  According to the manager of the program, ISP officers devote approximately 80% or their time to direct field supervision, involving themselves in almost every aspect of the participants’ lives.  Wilson was careful to explain that a provision of his release is that he not speak publicly about medical marijuana during his time under the ISP.  He is not available for media interviews at this time.

Wilson was arrested on August 18, 2008 and was charged with “manufacturing” 17 marijuana plants that he used to treat his MS.  Wilson faced 20 years in state prison for this crime.  At trial, Superior Court Judge Robert Reed would not let the jury hear the reason that Wilson grew the marijuana plants, essentially removing Wilson’s only defense.  Many members of the community felt this was an injustice and protested outside the court house in Somerville.  In December 2009 Wilson was acquitted of the most serious charge, but he was convicted of a second degree charge of manufacturing marijuana.  He was sentenced to five years in prison on March 19, 2010, but granted bail pending appeal.    

 

On July 26, 2011, an Appellate Court affirmed the conviction and sentencing. The state Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal on January 20, 2012 and Wilson was taken into custody seven days later.   State legislators and many supporters called for a pardon for Wilson.  However, Governor Christie refused to pardon Wilson, and even called into question the legitimacy of his MS diagnosis.  Prison medical staff meanwhile treated Wilson promptly and appropriately for his MS.

MS is a qualifying condition for marijuana therapy in New Jersey according to the two-year-old Compassionate Use Act, but the state’s Medicinal Marijuana Program is not operational yet.

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA, Executive Director 

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

Testimony in Support of A1465

Testimony in Support of A1465

New Jersey Assembly Judiciary Committee

May 21, 2012

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana—New Jersey, Inc. (CMMNJ) supports Assembly Bill 1465 which decriminalizes possession of 15 grams of marijuana or less.  This bill will provide a level of protection for thousands of sick, disabled, and dying patients which New Jersey's medical marijuana law does not provide.

The mission of CMMNJ is to educate the public about the medical benefits of marijuana.  Since CMMNJ was founded in 2003, Board members of this organization have taken a strictly neutral stance on the issue of broader legalization of marijuana. But at this time the Board of CMMNJ has endorsed A1465 for these reasons:

• Over two years have passed since the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law, yet not a single patient has received legal medical marijuana;
• Patients continue to be arrested and imprisoned in this state for using medical marijuana illegally to treat their medical conditions; and,
• Countless patients who could benefit from medical marijuana are currently disqualified from participating in New Jersey’s Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP) and will continue to be disqualified for the foreseeable future.

New Jersey’s medicinal marijuana law is a failure.  The original bill was introduced into the legislature in January 2005.  This bill was meant to protect patients who are suffering from debilitating medical conditions and who use marijuana on the advice of licensed physicians.  After five years of debate the bill was signed into law in January 2010.  Yet as of today, not a single patient or caregiver in New Jersey has even received an ID card from the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).  Not a single Alternative Treatment Center is yet open for business and not a single legal marijuana plant is yet growing in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, patients continue to be arrested and imprisoned for using marijuana to treat debilitating and even fatal medical conditions here.  Eric Hafner was recently arrested in Monmouth County for possession of less than a gram of marijuana.  Eric, a card-carrying medical marijuana patient from California, faces up to a year in a New Jersey jail when his case comes to trial later this year.

Even if the DHSS’s MMP ever gets operation, it is wildly deficient in properly identifying patients who can benefit from medical marijuana in New Jersey.  Chronic pain, for example, is considered a qualifying condition only if it is associated with HIV/AIDS or cancer.  All other cases of chronic pain are disqualified.  There are an estimated 75 million cases of chronic pain in the United States--about one in four people suffer from this at some point in their lives.  Given New Jersey’s population of over eight million people, this means
that over two million New Jerseyans could benefit from medical marijuana for chronic pain alone.  All but a handful of these patients are disqualified by the MMP.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in four Americans suffer from mental illness at some time in their lives. Many of these patients could benefit from marijuana therapy. There is a wealth of evidence that marijuana can be useful in the management of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, mania, crippling anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and even some cases of schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s Disease.  Current research has even identified the component
of marijuana—a cannabinoid—that has anti-psychotic properties.  Moreover, marijuana’s safety margin is certainly far greater than those of the accepted and traditional pharmaceutical interventions for these maladies.  Yet no mental or emotional disorders qualify for marijuana therapy in New Jersey.

The DHSS is empowered to add qualifying conditions for marijuana therapy at any time.  Yet the DHSS has proposed a most cumbersome process to do so in the regulations that they have adopted.  CMMNJ predicts it will be a minimum of five years before the chronic pain category is expanded, and a minimum of ten years before mental or emotional conditions are added as qualifying conditions for marijuana therapy in New Jersey.

Meanwhile, legitimate patients continue to be dragged through the legal system and even imprisoned for following the advice of their physicians.  Millions more suffer needlessly while a viable therapeutic agent is readily at hand.  This is unacceptable.

Marijuana’s therapeutic potential is enormous. Clearly, the criminal justice system is not qualified to determine who the legitimate patients are.  Neither has the state legislature nor the DHSS shown that they are up to the task. Leave this up to the medical community in New Jersey to determine who is using marijuana appropriately, as medicine.  Meanwhile, stop arresting patients.

CMMNJ urges the Assembly Judiciary Committee to support A1465.  Thank you.

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

Legislative committee to consider bill to decriminalize marijuana in New Jersey

                       
 

WHO: Assembly Judiciary Committee
WHAT: Hearing on A1465 which decriminalizes 15 grams or less of marijuana in New Jersey
WHEN: Monday, May 21, 2012 at 10:00 am
WHERE: The State House Annex, Trenton, NJ
WHY:       New Jersey must stop arresting patients who use marijuana therapeutically   

New Jersey’s Assembly Judiciary Committee will conduct a public hearing on A1465, a bill which will decriminalize 15 grams or less of marijuana in the state.  The hearing is scheduled for Monday, May 21, 2012 at 10:00 am in the State House Annex.  Testimony from the public is invited during the hearing.

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana—New Jersey, Inc. (CMMNJ) supports A1465 because:

• Nearly two and a half years have passed since the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law, but not a single patient has been protected by this law;
• Patients continue to be arrested and imprisoned in this state for using medical marijuana illegally to treat their medical conditions; and,
• Countless patients who could benefit from medical marijuana are currently disqualified from participating in New Jersey’s Medicinal Marijuana Program and will continue to be disqualified for the foreseeable future.

Ken Wolski, RN, executive director of the CMMNJ said, “New Jersey’s medicinal marijuana law is a failure.  This bill was meant to protect patients who are suffering from debilitating medical conditions and who use marijuana on the advice of licensed physicians.  Instead, New Jersey continues to arrest and imprison these patients.  This is a Drug War atrocity.  We must stop arresting patients.”

CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, provides education about the benefits medical marijuana.

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   ohamkrw@aol.com