Tuesday, May 6, 2025

CMMNJ Zoom Meeting Agenda for May 13, 2025

 


CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for May 13, 2025 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82062572535?pwd=n5aSegN1N0qyqNiVYYWkTBRGaGM7rk.1

Meeting ID: 820 6257 2535

Passcode: 674750

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/k3gRQpkrh

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:

NJ primary election, June 10, 2025: What you need to know before you vote; The deadline to register to vote for the primary election is Tuesday, May 20. New Jerseyans can find out whether they are registered to vote online.

Congratulations to the TOP 50 VOICES in the 2025 Insider NJ's Cannabis Powerlist, including CMMNJ Board members: Ken Wolski #6; Jeff Booker and Nichelle Santos #23; and Jo Anne Zito #39.

Home Grow: Assemblyman Robert Auth (R), District 39 Bergen Co., withdrew Bill A414 which would legalize possession of six marijuana plants for personal use.

Governor Murphy Signs Bill to Make NJ Expungement Process More Accessible and Transparent--establishes an online portal for petitioners to obtain their status.

National Nurses Week: Cannabis and healthcare: Complicated policies & laws.

Bill A913 to allow NJ patients to use medicinal cannabis for sickle cell anemia passed two Assembly committees. “Praise God,” said cannabis activist Leo Bridgewater. But the companion bill, S2392, has yet to have a committee hearing.

NJ’s medical cannabis home cultivation bill S1393 has bipartisan co-sponsors, but no committee hearing scheduled yet. The identical Assembly bill is A846.

Sign NORML’s S1393 Action Alert: https://norml.org/act/new-jersey-allow-patients-to-grow-their-own-medicine

NJ Senator Scutari’s bill S4154, could send police back out to target peaceful cannabis consumers. S4154 would make selling or even purchasing 'illicit marijuana' a crime...again. Sign NORML's S4154 action alert. 

Let Advanced Practice Nurses Recommend Medical Cannabis: NORML Petition

Ignorance Is No Excuse Podcasts: 5/6/25, 5/1/25, 4/29/25, 4/24/25, 4/17/25,

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

Next meeting: Thursday, June 5, 2025 will be in person at 44 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton to begin at 11 a.m. Register to speak here by June 3rd at 5 p.m.

Watch on Zoom or on YouTube

NJ-CRC celebrate 4 years of building NJ's cannabis industry; as of January 2025, average cost of flower at licensed dispensaries is down to $9.92 per gram for recreational consumers and $9.29 per gram for patients.

My oral comments to the NJ CRC at the March 25, 2025 Medicinal Cannabis Program Town Hall start at 1:01:17 and end at 1:04:06, less than three minutes. I hope they address my concerns, though they haven’t for about seven years now.

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:

Dana Beal needs to raise an additional $2,000 by May 20, 2025 for legal expenses to delay his trial and organize his defense. His GoFundMe is at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/dana-beals-idaho-bail-and-trial-expenses                    Please help if you can. More info at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp-kILfYSPk

DEA Says Stalled Marijuana Rescheduling Process Awaits Action From Agency Head Who Called Cannabis A ‘Gateway Drug’

Study: Improvements in health-related quality of life are maintained long-term in patients prescribed medicinal cannabis in Australia: The QUEST Initiative 12-month follow-up observational study

The Drug Policy Alliance Library

Supreme Court Sides With Trucker Who Was Fired Over THC Test Following Use Of CBD Product

V.A Secretary Had Psychedelics Talk With RFK Jr.—And He Plans To Press Congress To Act to cover the costs of psychedelic therapy for veterans. Study: Utilizing Psychedelics to Enhance Well-Being: A Systematic Review

Maryland regulators published a report on a survey of medical cannabis patients.

PA: Is medical marijuana right for you? Here’s what you need to know

The PA House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize cannabis for adults from state-run stores. MPP has concerns that, due to federal prohibition, the state-run stores model may never results in legal access. Let your state senator know you want them to support a workable legalization law!

Celebrating 420 and Project 50; Medical Marijuana Memory Blog #37       Alice O'Leary Randall; Apr 20, 2025

A Nurse's Journey In Cannabis; podcast

Upcoming events: 

ASA: Patient First Leadership Summit & Lobby Day: In DC: May 18-19, 2025

Archer health fair at 1025 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, NJ, May 8th from 10am to 2pm. CMMNJ table.

CMB (Formerly CWCB Expo) Cannabis Means Business, Javits Convention Center, June 4-5 2025

Nick Mellis Presents: CannaConcerts! Live at Weedman’s Joint, Trenton, with Alex Gaylon! Sunday, May 11, 2025 at 12 PM.

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: The Road to 30, Ep. 1 tells the story of the start of U.S. medical marijuana. It leads to The 16th National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, From Prohibition to Recognition, in Charlottesville, VA, 9/14-16/2025.

CMMNJ’s ongoing goals:

Insurance bills:

·        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: Petition: End the Blockade on NJ Senate bill S1393

·        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

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. Newark's University Hospital, the state's only public hospital, should implement Institutional Caregivers so that patients may continue their physician-recommended cannabis treatment while hospitalized.

 

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

Treasury report: 

Checking: $9,470; PayPal: $0. 

Fundraising ideas are always welcome.

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/X: @CMM_NJ

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

CMMNJ website: Join the “CMMNJ Tech Team” to help with websites, blogs, social media, streaming, video, and audio. 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.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

CMMNJ Zoom Meeting Agenda for April 8, 2025

 


CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for April 8, 2025 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: ID: 813 1866 3344   Passcode: 551985 Or, click: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81318663344?pwd=N0EDtN0Ic1UdsARXO27x9HbPbc10Vx.1

One tap mobile: +1 (646) 558-8656, 813 1866 3344#,*551985# US (New York)

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcOfwaPzhm

Agenda:  

NJ Governor's race: The four Democrats hoping to be our next governor who support home grow for recreational and medical cannabis are Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and teachers’ union chief Sean Spiller. Steve Sweeney, the former NJ Senate leader now running for governor says “it is time” to allow medical marijuana patients to grow their own cannabis plants for personal use. Republicans Mario Kranjac, a former mayor of Englewood Cliffs, and Jack Ciattarelli, a former assemblyman support allowing home grow for medical marijuana patients only. Former radio talk show host Bill Spadea supports home grow for recreational cannabis, too. Republican candidate State Sen. Jon Bramnick, did not respond to a request for comment.

Support is growing for NJ’s medical cannabis home cultivation bill S1393. Senators Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) and Nisla Cruz-Perez (D- Camden) recently joined the bipartisan effort as co-sponsors. The identical Assembly bill is A846.

Sign and share NORML's S1393 action alert 

Follow the NJ Homegrow Coalition at:   www.njhomegrow.com and https://www.instagram.com/njhomegrow/

NJ currently has some of the highest prices in the country for medical cannabis. 

NJ Senator Scutari’s bill S4154, could send police back out to target peaceful cannabis consumers. S4154 would make selling or even purchasing 'illicit marijuana' a crime...again. Sign NORML's S4154 action alert. 

Radio station 101.5 Looks inside Zenleaf, on Route 1 in Lawrence, among their many other locations. A look inside one of NJ's biggest weed dispensaries |

Support the independent publisher Marijuana Moment and ensure that as many voters as possible have access to the most in-depth cannabis reporting out there.

  • Ken Wolski of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana–New Jersey, Inc.:  “I appreciate your independent journalism, and your thorough coverage of cannabis reform, especially as it relates to my home state of New Jersey.”

A bill to allow those with sickle cell anemia to become medical cannabis patients passed the NJ Assembly Health Committee recently.

Regulated cannabis products for sale in NJ failed recent independent safety tests for molds and pathogens. Cannabinoid levels for THC were also routinely inflated. 

Let Advanced Practice Nurses Recommend Medical Cannabis: NORML Petition

Four students at STEMCivics Charter School in Ewing Township, NJ were taken to the hospital after allegedly eating weed gummies.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

Next meeting: Thursday, April 3, 2025 will be virtual. Watch on Zoom or on YouTube

Virtual Town Halls were held on March 19, 25 and 26, as the CRC sought feedback from patients and healthcare providers as it reviewed the medicinal cannabis regulations to enhance patient benefits.

The CRC recently released the full updated cannabis lab testing rules they announced at their last meeting. HeadyNJ article.

CRC: Cannabis Testing Guidelines and How to Read a Certificate of Analysis

Amelia Mapp made her debut at a CRC meeting as a Commissioner replacing social justice champion Charles Barker.

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: 

Howard Wooldridge said a White House representative welcomed proposals to discuss his plan to advise the administration to adopt a pro-legalization position.

Advocates for military veterans are putting pressure on Congress to free up access to marijuana and psychedelics as alternative treatment options.

Marijuana companies spent $1.6 million last year pushing Pennsylvania lawmakers to legalize recreational use of the drug.

PA State Rep. Chris Rabb reintroduced a bill in Harrisburg that would protect unimpaired drivers who are legal users of medical cannabis.

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: 

NJCBA: MJ Unpacked; April 29- May 1, Atlantic City

Archer & Greiner, P.C. is hosting a health fair again this year and would love to have CMMNJ back, at 1025 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, NJ, May 8th from 10am to 2pm.

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: The Road to 30, Ep. 1 tells the story of the start of U.S. medical marijuana. It leads to The 16th National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, From Prohibition to Recognition, in Charlottesville, VA, 9/14-16/2025.

Treasury report: 

Checking: $9,950; PayPal: $27. 

Fundraising ideas are always welcome.

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: 

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

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.”

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

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for March 11, 2025

 


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

Join Zoom Meeting: ID: 898 1621 4304   Passcode: 505385 Or, click: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89816214304?pwd=q96ST6LtrwpYcBwfoUIWAX5JOJuOTY.1

One tap mobile: +1 (309) 205-3325; ID: 898 1621 4304 # Passcode: *505385#

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kewxJVEKpi

Agenda:  

NJ Home Grow Campaign Progresses as Legalization Hits 4th Anniversary; more than 50 cannabis businesses and advocacy groups formed the NJ Home Grow Coalition. Senators Troy Singleton and Vin Gopal sponsored S1393/A846 to allow medical cannabis patients to grow a small amount of weed at home.

N.J. medical cannabis patients feel betrayed as legal weed business booms.

N.J.: Allow Patients to Grow Their Own Medicine: NORML letter.

Price Gouging is Killing NJ’s Medical Cannabis Program: The products in NJ are far more expensive than in nearby states.

The NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC) reported over 1,000 students have registered for the Cannabis Training Academy since its 10/24 launch.

NJ Senate President Nick Scutari’s bill S 4154, “Establishes crime of selling or purchasing marijuana from unlicensed businesses” will re-criminalizing legacy operators and those who buy from them. Trenton wants to enforce its ordinance against illegal dispensaries that compete with the legal industry, but this bill also criminalizes the "knowing" purchase from the illegal dispensaries with a 6-month jail term and a fine as a Disorderly Person. Oppose this bill through NORML.

Another Scutari bill, S4074 would allow medical cannabis dispensaries to begin selling recreational weed without municipal approval.

NJ Gov. Murphy: “Just last year, our adult-use cannabis market surpassed $1 billion in sales. The tax revenue from the sale provides funding to support violence intervention programs across our state…In just 5 years, cannabis has gone from destroying lives in the form of excessive criminal sentences, to helping save lives,” he said.

NJ Governor's race 2025: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka told Jelani Gibson at NJ Cannabis Insider, "As for renters versus homeowners, cannabis shouldn’t be treated any differently than other restrictions on indoor or outdoor gardening, so long as it’s not commercial and is not in a public space where minors would have access." Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said, "I would be fully supportive of allowing home cultivation of cannabis for personal recreational and medical use with some commonsense guardrails in place to prevent unregulated commercial activities and to protect quality of life."

NJ Office of the Attorney General: Ken’s letter: “Please recognize that for some medical marijuana patients, homegrow is a matter of survival for them. It serves no public policy to prosecute such patients.” If you have not received a reply within 10 business days, please call 609-984-5828, the Office of Constituent Services. The letter was also sent to the NJ Prosecutor’s Assn.

NJ courts have said it is the state's constitutional obligation to provide adequate healthcare to inmates, and this obligation extended to providing care that met current standards in the community. It appears that legal action will be required to allow inmates who have qualifying conditions to have access to medicinal cannabis.

Guy Lardieri hosts talks on Psychedelics, Tuesdays, 6 pm:  See: https://www.talkradio.nyc/post/2025-02-25-the-legal-landscape-of-psychedelics-in-new-jersey-and-beyond-and-a-patient-advocates-personal-push-for-psychedelics

Let Advanced Practice Nurses Recommend Medical Cannabis: NORML Petition

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

Since 2012, New Jersey's Medicinal Cannabis Program has been helping patients access cannabis treatment. Now, 13 years later, the NJ-CRC is beginning the review process to update medicinal cannabis regulations.  We want to hear from patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and others with interest in the program as we seek to enhance patient benefits.  

Join us on *ZOOM on the following dates to have your voice heard:  

Can't speak at the Virtual Town Hall?
Submit a written comment.

*A Zoom link for each Town Hall will be shared as we get closer to the event dates.

Bill A913: Authorizes medical cannabis for sickle cell anemia; Assembly Health Committee hearing; 3/6/25; why legislation for additional qualifying conditions?

The CRC released the updated cannabis lab testing rules at their last meeting.

More than $6 million collected from a cannabis tax has been sitting unused even though the CRC has sent spending recommendations to the Legislature for three years. 

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

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: 

North Carolina Voters Support Legalizing Medical Marijuana In New Poll, With Strong Backing Across Party Lines. NC is one of just a handful of states without some form of legal medical marijuana.

PA Gov. Josh Shapiro again proposed legalizing recreational marijuana as part of his recent $51.5 billion budget pitch; taxing cannabis sales could rake in a total of $1.3 billion in the first five years.

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: 

7th Annual Cannabis & Psychedelic Law Symposium, 3/12/25, NJ State Bar Assn., New Brunswick. Register: https://njsba.com/event/the-7th-annual-cannabis-and-psychedelics-law-symposium/

Moorestown Day is on June 1, 2025: https://www.moorestown.nj.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=2263  

Earth Day event/press conference at the Statehouse, 4/22/25(?). 4/20/25=Easter.

2025 LGBTQ+ Pride, Asbury Park, June 1st, 12 - 7pm. If volunteers are available.

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: $10,367; PayPal: $27. 

Fundraising ideas are always welcome.

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/ 
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.”

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