CMMNJ Monthly Meeting Agenda for January 10, 2023 at 7 pm
Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 899 4775 2495; Passcode: 546977; Or click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89947752495?pwd=RFQrNVllOTJxdVFETWtTcGFFR3RuZz09
Agenda:
In New York State on 12/29/22, it became legal for anyone over 21 to buy cannabis.
Recreational cannabis sales to start in CT Jan. 10, 2023.
Weed lounges could be the next big thing in NJ’s legal marijuana market
New Jersey adult-use marijuana sales exceeded $100 million for the first time in the third quarter of the 2022 fiscal year, with combined medical and recreational cannabis purchases totaling $177,710,764, the state reported.
NJ collected more than $7.7 million in taxes on cannabis purchases from July through September, from the state's 6.625% sales tax, levied on all retail cannabis purchases. Nearly $225,000 was collected in Social Equity Excise Fee (SEEF) revenue, an extra tax levied on cannabis cultivators and wholesalers for disbursement to communities most impacted by the War on Drugs…With an average August price of $453 per ounce of cannabis flower, NJ has among the most expensive legal weed in the country. But the state has among the lowest taxes on cannabis at just under 7%. Municipalities can also levy a transfer tax of up to 2%.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board announced the creation of the Cannabis Equity Grant Program, to help start-ups with early-stage expenses and technical training. Up to $10 million in state funding will be made available for applicants. 60 percent of that is for qualifying social equity applicants, like those who have previous cannabis convictions or live in economically disadvantaged areas. These businesses can receive up to $250,000. The remaining 40 percent is open to all entities who have municipal approval and site control over their business’s real estate.
HERE'S WHERE NJ LEGAL WEED IS SOLD; Cannabis Etiquette: Be a good cannabis ambassador.
Firefighter Fired For Medical Marijuana Use Rehired After Settlement With City Of Buffalo
The impending golden era of cannabis will bring forth a plethora of opportunities, jobs, and other benefits for the state.
Cannabis in New Jersey. The Opposite of Equity by Jay Lassiter.
Federal Drug Policy Reform:
Democratic U.S. Senator Cory Booker of NJ says Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is blocking cannabis bills from being approved by his Republican colleagues. The Republican party will take control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the new session of Congress which makes progress on the marijuana reform a long shot for at least the next two years.
The completion of the second Phase 3 study of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD is expected to lead to FDA evaluation of the treatment’s safety and efficacy in 2023. Rick Doblin, Ph.D., Executive Director, MAPS
Christmastime hospital-room raid busts dying man for using marijuana. Police dismissed the ticket. Police Chief: “We shouldn’t have laws on the books that we don’t want enforced, and if we want to help people, we have to address this issue.”
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC): Meetings: Jan. 12, 2023, at 1 pm.
Register to speak here. Deadline to register to speak at the January 12th meeting will be January 10th at noon. You may submit comments in writing to the Commission here.
The CRC will hold two virtual meetings to determine where the social equity excise fee money will go on 1/10/23 and 1/18/23 at 7 pm.
CMMNJ’s 2023 medical cannabis goals include insurance coverage; home cultivation rights; hospital & institutional access; and expanded qualifying conditions.
Medical Cannabis Insurance bills:
- S313/A3248: 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.
- S309/A3511: Requires workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage.
- S782/A3932: Subsidize medical cannabis in Medicaid or NJ Family Care.
Home cultivation bills: Web site: https://www.letpatientsgrownj.com/
- S342/A997: Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis.
- A1422: Legalizes possession of six marijuana plants for personal use.
- S353/A3657: 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. Implement the Jake Honig law’s Institutional Caregivers to accomplish this!
Upcoming Events:
Northeast Organic Farm Assn. (NOFA NJ)’s 33rd Annual Winter Conference, NJ’s premier organic food and agricultural event, at Rutgers U. on January 28, 2023 from 8 - 5 pm.
Heady NJ: Working in South Jersey Cannabis, 1/21/23, 1 – 5 PM, $20 fee.
Treasury report:
Checking: $13,007
Make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal to info@cmmnj.org, or send a check to:
CMMNJ, 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618.
More info: Ken Wolski, RN, MPA (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/
Website: Coalition for Medical Marijuana-New Jersey: https://www.cmmnj.org
Twitter: @CMM_NJ
CMMNJ blog: https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/
CMMNJ won the 2021 NJ Governor's Jefferson Award Volunteer Group category.
CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is a non-profit educational organization.
