CMMNJ Monthly Meeting Agenda for March 14, 2023

 

CMMNJ Agenda for March 14, 2023, 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: 

Meeting ID: 854 3545 2233 Passcode: 303330 Or, click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85435452233?pwd=OWxhNmNKWkpqelRqZ2JSK011M1NiUT09

Agenda:  

Sandy Gibson, a professor at TCNJ, will give a presentation on Harm Reduction at tonight’s meeting, starting at 7:30 pm. The CMMNJ Board will consider endorsing Harm Reduction (needle exchanges, safe injection sites, drug decriminalization, etc.) at our next Board meeting.
Oregon Decriminalized Drugs. What Happened Next? National Harm Reduction Coalition

NJ police officers will no longer be drug tested for cannabis unless they're suspected of using marijuana on duty or if their position requires federal drug testing.

Minorities for Medical Marijuana – New Jersey (M4MM-NJ) joined the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association (NJCBA) to ensure minority representation in the state’s cannabis industry.

THE TIME FOR EQUITY IN CANNABIS AND THE ‘FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW’

In March, Tahir Johnson will launch Simply Pure Trenton. He is one of the first people in NJ to own and manage a legal dispensary while having a marijuana conviction. Mayor Gusciora Celebrates Trenton City Council Support of Cannabis.

Holistic Solutions, New Jersey's first Black woman-owned cannabis dispensary, opened during Black History Month Feb. 10, 2023.

NJ residents want to use marijuana tax revenue to improve schools and expand public health. Adult users pay 6.25% in state sales tax, in addition to 2% local sales tax. A part of the state tax is for “social equity” purposes, bolstering communities most harmed by the War on Drugs.

What Businesses Should Know About NJ CANNABUSINESS Loan Options.

Federal Drug Policy Reform:

Federal Marijuana Pardon Applications available

NORML: State Updates:

• NC & SC medical cannabis bills advance 
• DE: HB 1 is Scheduled for a House Vote. Op Ed from DE NORML
• PA: New Recreational Marijuana Legalization Bill Coming In PA
• OK: Marijuana legalization, State Question 820, will be on the ballot March 7.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC): 

Meetings: April 13, and May 4, both at 1 pm. Register to speak here. You may submit comments in writing to the Commission here. 

The NJ CRC approved 49 licenses. NJCRC Executive Director Jeff Brown said 1647 applications have been received in. He said that minority owners submitted 72 percent of them.

Commissioner Barker: NJ’s Legal Weed Market Needs More Companies Owned by People of Color

CRC Rules with proposed amendments regarding cannabis consumption areas. Highlights of the Cannabis Consumption Area rules. Submit public comments by Saturday, March 18, 2023.

CRC Diversity Director Wesley McWhite III: The CRC promotes three classes of cannabis license holders: those who are diverse — minorities, women, disabled veterans; people from “impact zones” communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs, and social equity applicants, those convicted of marijuana offenses or from economically disadvantaged areas. 

License awardees: https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/businesses/recreational/license-awardees/

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. 
• 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: 

Social Equity in Cannabis: Faces Behind the Fight: Community Gathering and Discussion: March 30, 2023 – 6:00-8:00 PM, Baked by the River Lounge, Lambertville, NJ 08530, (RSVP by 3/9/23): bakedbytheriver@gmail.com

NJ’s first major cannabis business conference of 2023, Hilton Hotel Newark Airport, March 8.

NJCBA: GETTING YOUR LICENSE, NOW WHAT? 12 Apr 2023, 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Galloping Hill Golf Club Register.

Deneen Wright, Cannabis Recruitment Specialist, dwright@njadvancemedia.com: 201-324-5092.

To search Cannabis Career Opportunities please visit: www.cannabisinsiderjobs.com/. Ask about NJ Cannabis Insider subscriber discounts.

Recent events: 

March 10, 2023 was the 20th anniversary of CMMNJ’s first public event at the White Dog Café in Philadelphia. Help us celebrate 20 years of cannabis reform—support our goals! 

CMMNJ welcomes the following people to the CMMNJ Board and wishes them great success: Valisha Desir, Esq., Nichelle Santos, and Jeff Booker.  

Treasury report: 

Checking: $ 12,148.18. 

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.