CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for October 10, 2023

  

CMMNJ Monthly Public Zoom Meeting Agenda for October 10, 2023 at 7 pm

ZOOM Meeting ID: 890 0413 4932  Passcode: 886219 Or, click: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89004134932?pwd=cVB0dVRqeVJBZ0VKL2dFSndBRG9adz09

Agenda: 

New Jersey Issues: 

NJ Cannabis Insider published CMMNJ's Open Letter to the Governor: “Homegrow and expanded medical access needs to happen” in Issue 272 on 9/29/23. “I appreciate your taking the time to write to me. My very best,” Philip D. Murphy.

NORML action alert. Please sign: New Jersey: Legislation to Allow Home Cultivation for Medical Marijuana Patients

NJ Office of Legislative Services: Marijuana is descheduled in New Jersey, BUT…

"despite the de-scheduling of unregulated marijuana, it is still defined as a controlled dangerous substance under…the 'Comprehensive Drug Reform Act of 1987'…part of New Jersey’s criminal code. Therefore, the personal manufacturing (growing), distribution, or possession of this unregulated substance may still be subject to criminal prosecution and punishment by a term of imprisonment, fine, or both."

Thomas Edison State University launched new online certificate programs in the cannabis industry that cover business, healthcare and medicine, law and policy, agriculture and horticulture.

CannaCoverage and Bennabis Health Partner to Bring Medical Cannabis Benefits to the Employee Benefits Marketplace

Another Jersey City police officer who was fired for cannabis use is ordered reinstated.

Willie Beemer’s case for growing 15 plants in South Jersey was dismissed at the Salem County Court House on 9/22/23. Willie faced 5–10 years in prison for growing his own in the Garden State.

Federal Drug Policy Reform: 

ANA Officially Recognizes Cannabis Nursing as a Specialty Nursing Practice

The @SenateBanking Committee has passed the SAFER Banking Act—a huge step to help cannabis businesses operate more safely and efficiently. Over 800 banks and credit unions have acknowledged to the U.S. government their relationships with licensed cannabis businesses.

Congressional Research Service Report: Department of Health and Human Services Recommendation to Reschedule Marijuana: Implications for Federal Policy

DRUG POLICY FACTS: Knowledge is Power, update by Doug McVay

Appeals Court Rejects Federal Gun Ban for Marijuana Consumers

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC): 

The next CRC meetings: 10/19/23, at 11 a.m., 44 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton. Watch live on YouTube. Register to speak here. You may submit comments in writing to the Commission here. 

Applications for wholesalers, distributors and delivery services will first open to social equity businesses on 9/27/23, then open up to diversely owned businesses on 12/27, and then the licenses will be available to all applicants on 3/27/24.

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority reveals its $12 million of grant funding to 48 cannabis businesses.

Regulations that allow manufacturers to make baked goods and beverages won't be adopted until December, but the CRC passed waivers for such products in the meantime, so they should be here soon. Edibles accounted for nearly 12% of all cannabis sales in 11 states last year for nearly $1.6 billion.

There are 53 adult use dispensaries in New Jersey, and 47 medicinal cannabis dispensaries, including 6 that deliver to patients: Find a Dispensary in NJ.

CMMNJ’s 2023 medical cannabis goals:

• 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! 

Wolski spoke heavily about the need for homegrow and the overall hospital system getting involved with insurance to pay for patient access to cannabis. “Right now if you go into a hospital and you’re a medical cannabis patient you have to stop using your medical cannabis and that can have a fatal reaction,” he said.

Expanded qualifying conditions: 

Qualifying for cannabis therapy should be allowed for any condition that a healthcare professional with prescription privileges determines is in the best interest of the patient.

Upcoming Events: 

Real Cannabis Entrepreneur, Guy, & Nichelle, two CMMNJ Board members, to be honored, with Leo Bridgewater, Hugh Giordano, Phil Charles, and more! Newark, Oct. 5 & 6.

B2B cannabis business conference DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Newark Airport, Oct. 12, 2023. 

Minority Cannabis Business Association, Equity Workshop Tour, Trenton, 10/24/23, 10–2 pm.

CMMNJ Gala, Oct. 21, 2023: postponed.

The South Jersey Legacy to Legal Forum, W. Berlin, NJ, Oct. 28, 1–5 pm.

Cannabis Job Fair, Elizabeth, Union County, NJ, Oct. 11.

Recent Events:

NECANN NJ Atlantic City Convention Center, 9/8-9/2023 with Jeff Booker

420 EXPO Edison, NJ, Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, 2023. 

STR8 Talk, Archer Law Office, Sept. 11, 2023.

Sativa Cross "Home Grow Rally" Trenton, 9/28.

CMMNJ is always looking for community members to volunteer for CMMNJ tabling at events. If you are interested, email us at info@cmmnj.org

Treasury report: 

Checking: $11,073. 

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 Awards:

• 2021: NJ Governor's Jefferson Award in the Volunteer Group category;
• 2023: NJ Governor's Volunteerism Award in the "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Champion for Justice" category "for extraordinary service to your community;"
• 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.