Thursday, November 12, 2020

CMMNJ’s Adult-use Cannabis Recommendations




Assembly Appropriations Committee Hearing, 11/12/20 
RE: A21, Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, & Marketplace Modernization Act
To: OLSAideAAP@njleg.org

Date 11/12/2020

The Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. (CMMNJ) has recommendations for the implementation of adult-use cannabis in the state:

Financial Considerations:

The anticipated financial savings with the legal, adult use of cannabis in New Jersey greatly outweigh any costs associated with the implementation. 

Representatives of some municipalities have argued that they should be entitled to reimbursement for certain costs including training of Drug Recognition Experts, retraining of drug-sniffing dogs, and even rewriting ordinances that forbid the legal marijuana industry from operating within their jurisdictions.

These claims fail to take into consideration the tremendous savings that New Jersey municipalities, and the state itself, can anticipate when the vast majority of marijuana arrests are no longer going to occur. 

Gone will be expenses related to:

  • law enforcement, including surveillance, arrest, and detention;
  • court costs, for the criminal prosecution of marijuana cases;
  • incarceration of those convicted of marijuana offenses; 
  • parole supervision upon release; and,
  • recidivism, as the whole wasteful and expensive process starts over again.

The financial impact of these marijuana arrests and incarcerations do not stop with the individual who is unlucky enough to be caught. An arrest affects the entire family. Having a parent in jail is an Adverse Childhood Event that leads to a lower socioeconomic status for the family, a greater risk of interactions with law enforcement, a greater risk of substance abuse and other health problems, and a greater dependence on welfare and other social services. 

Repeat these arrests enough times in a community and the poverty rate of the entire community rises. Trenton’s poverty rate is 28%, twice the national average. Newark’s poverty rate is 29%; Atlantic City’s is 36%; and Camden’s is 38%.

In addition to avoided costs, there will be modest tax revenue gained from the legal sale of cannabis to adults, along with the far greater economic benefits associated with the creation of an entirely new industry in the state.  

Additional taxes or fees on the sale or processing of cannabis should be opposed as this is not following the word or spirit of the constitutional amendment that clearly spelled out the only taxes that should be applied. Also, added fees will only drive up the price to the consumer and encourage black market competition. 

Decriminalization: Pass into law S2535.

Home Grow: Allow registered New Jersey patients to grow 6 plants each for cost savings and consistent supply, with minimal impact on the legal industry. 

Equitable Cannabis Industry Licensing: Rebuild individuals and communities damaged by the decades-long war on marijuana.

De-schedule Cannabis: See testimony from the marijuana rescheduling hearings in April 2018 at the New Jersey Office of Attorney General.

Medical Issues: Reinvigorate implementation of the Jake Honig law.

Release Cannabis Prisoners: Release all those who are currently incarcerated for nonviolent cannabis offenses; expunge nonviolent cannabis offenses from criminal records, without cost to the inmates or former inmates. 

Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC): Continue staffing the (CRC) with individuals who have knowledge of the Endocannabinoid System, and who are supportive of cannabis reform. 

CMMNJ also supports the recommendations of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation (David L. Nathan, MD, DFAPA, President, Board of Directors dnathan@dfcr.org www.dfcr.org):

  • Government oversight of cannabis production, testing, distribution, and sales
  • Detailed labeling of cannabis products with health and safety information
  • Prevention of non-medical underage cannabis use through:
    • Evidence-based education about the risks of cannabis use
    • Child-resistant packaging
    • A ban on packaging, marketing, and advertising that attracts underage users
    • Penalties for adults who enable diversion
  • Taxation of adult-use cannabis to fund equity programs for communities harmed by the drug war
  • Protected rights for limited home cultivation of cannabis
  • Expungement of cannabis arrests, charges, and convictions from criminal records
  • Diversity in all sectors of the cannabis industry

Thank you, for your time and consideration.

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

Saturday, November 7, 2020

CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for November 2020



CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for November 10, 2020 at 7 pm 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81778981583?pwd=K1J0VlRrNUt4UWJ2dzFWVTdicmFNUT09

Meeting ID: 817 7898 1583; Passcode: 671406

Agenda: Approve the October 2020 minutes.

New Jersey Elections Results: Question 1 - Legalize Marijuana 

YES - 2,075,195 (66%)

NO -  1,028,104 (33%)

(As of 11/6/20 with 4,737 of 6,348 Precincts Reporting - 74.62%)

Many thanks to the friends, family, colleagues, advocates, organizations, patients and voters who made this possible. It was not just an election victory, it was a thorough repudiation of the war on marijuana in every county in New Jersey! Our state is now on track to become healthier, wealthier and safer!!

Governor Murphy Announces Cannabis Regulatory Commission AppointmentsDianna Houenou, Chair, & Jeff Brown, Executive Director. Good choices!

NJ Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing: 11/9/20 at 10 am

S21 Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, & Marketplace Modernization Act; legalizes personal use cannabis for certain adults, subject to regulation by Cannabis Regulatory Commission; removes marijuana as Schedule I drug.  https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/S0500/21_I1.HTM

S2535 Marijuana-provides criminal and civil justice reforms; 

 A1897 Marijuana-decriminalizes 10 grams;

Testimony should be submitted to OLSAideSJU@njleg.org.

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/BillsForAgendaView.asp

Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee Hearing, 11/09/20 - 10:00 AM:

A-21 - Quijano/Holley/Timberlake/McKnight/Danielsen "New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act."

Written testimony should be submitted to OLSAideAOF@njleg.org  

Assembly Appropriations Committee

Thursday, November 12, 2020 - 10:30 AM

 A-21, Quijano/Holley/Timberlake/McKnight/Danielsen  - "New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act." https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2020/Bills/A0500/21_I1.HTM

Due to the public health emergency, the State House Annex remains closed to visitors. The public may not attend the Committee meeting in person but may view and participate in the meeting via the New Jersey Legislature home page at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/. The public may submit written testimony electronically in lieu of oral testimony. Written testimony will be included in the Committee record and distributed to all the Committee members. 

CMMNJ's Adult-use Cannabis Legalization Implementation Recommendations:

Decriminalization: Pass into law S 2535.

Homegrow: allow registered NJ patients to grow 6 plants, which provides inexpensive, strain-specific access to this medicine. 

Equitable Cannabis Industry Licensing: Rebuild individuals and communities damaged by the marijuana wars.

De-schedule Cannabis: See Office of Attorney General hearings from April 2018.

Medical Issues: Vigorous implementation of the Jake Honig law.

Release Cannabis Prisoners: release all those currently incarcerated for nonviolent cannabis offenses, and expunge nonviolent cannabis offenses from their records, without cost to the inmates or former inmates. 

Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC): Continue staffing the CRC with individuals who have proven, through their education and experience, that they are knowledgeable about the Endocannabinoid System and supportive of cannabis reform. 

CMMNJ also endorses the Platform of Regulations from Doctors for Cannabis Regulation (DFCR):

• Government oversight of cannabis production, testing, distribution, and sales

• Detailed labeling of cannabis products with health and safety information

• Prevention of non-medical underage cannabis use through:

• Evidence-based education about the risks of cannabis use

• Child-resistant packaging

• A ban on packaging, marketing, and advertising that attracts underage users

• Penalties for adults who enable diversion

• Taxation of adult-use cannabis to fund equity programs for communities harmed by the drug war

• Protected rights for limited home cultivation of cannabis

• Expungement of cannabis arrests, charges, and convictions from criminal records

• Diversity in all sectors of the cannabis industry

David L. Nathan, MD, DFAPA, President, Board of Directors

dnathan@dfcr.org www.dfcr.org

NJ Medical Marijuana Program: 

The Appellate court continues to halt the progress of 196 applications for 24 additional NJ medical marijuana licenses. Court hearing soon? More delays?

Home delivery still not happening.

Patients Out of Time has created a coalition of organizations and individuals to demand the end of federal cannabis prohibition with their resolution to De-Schedule Cannabis. Please share widely: 

The POT resolution: https://patientsoutoftime.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/De-scheduleCannabis.pdf

Home cultivation for patients--sign the petition: Let Patients Grow NJ. Also, visit the website: Let Patients Grow NJ #JeffsLaw. 

“Cannabis: A Handbook for Nurses” by Carey S. Clark https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10158312338171028&set=a.85013836027

Upcoming Events: 

Thanksgiving Giveaway of donated food, clothing and personal hygiene items to the homeless and poor of Trenton at the Sativa Cross Podcast, Trenton State House, 11/26/20, 11am to 2 pm.

Recent Events: 

Sativa Cross Podcast, Trenton State House, 10/22/20

“Seniors and Medical Marijuana,” Princeton Senior Resource Center via Zoom, 10/23/20.

Treasury report: Checking: $5219; PayPal: $3178. Make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal to info@cmmnj.org, or, send a check to:

CMMNJ, 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618. 

Hemp wristbands also available.

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/

Coalition for Medical Marijuana - New Jersey

Twitter: @CMM_NJ

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

CMMNJ’s free, public meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 7 – 9 PM.

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