When will medicinal cannabis be integrated into the Capital Health System?

My question at the Capital Health Annual Public Meeting on August 25th, 2026:

When will medicinal cannabis be integrated into the Capital Health System?

The Justice Department and the DEA announced on 4/23/26 the issuance of an order (published 4/28) immediately placing marijuana products regulated by a state medical marijuana license in Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act.

“The order also recognizes that state medical cannabis programs are part of the medical access landscape. State systems already regulate patient access, licensing, dispensing, labeling, packaging, security, disposal, and recordkeeping. The order relies on this existing state infrastructure to promote medical benefits and avoid unnecessary disruption to patients and state systems. The order recognizes medical cannabis patient registration as equivalent to a prescription.”

I realize that medication policies must be updated, and medicinal cannabis must be added to the facility’s Controlled Substances Policy. But, “Currently, most health care facilities forbid the use of medical cannabis in the facility. This is a dangerous and potentially fatal situation. A patient who suffers from seizures may be admitted to a health care facility for a condition that is unrelated to the seizure condition. Then, when the patient is denied access to the only medicine that controls their seizures--medical cannabis--the result can be fatal.”

As a former ICU/CCU nurse at Mercer Medical Center when it was on Bellevue Ave. in Trenton, I thank you for the opportunity to address my concern.

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA

Chairman, Trenton Cannabis Advisory Committee

Executive Director, Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc.

Dr. Joshua Eisenberg responded that Capital Health is aware that the cannabis laws have changed recently. A team is currently working to integrate cannabis use for both in-patient and out-patient care so that it is done in a safe and effective manner. We can expect more information to come in the months ahead.

https://www.capitalhealth.org/classes-events/main/annual-community-meeting

Violence in Trenton can be greatly reduced by ending the War on Drugs

 

The Trentonian Election Notebook: 

Trenton needs to reassess response to drugs [KEN WOLSKI GUEST OPED]

By Ken Wolski | | Chairman, Trenton Cannabis Advisory Committee 

PUBLISHED: August 27, 2026 

The upcoming election in Trenton has raised significant questions about what the next mayor can do to prevent violence in New Jersey’s capital city.

There have been various proposals about reallocating police resources to better prevent, and respond to violence, including murders that occur near City Hall.

But the reality is that the most effective way to reduce violence in the inner cities is beyond the ability of any mayor. The State of New Jersey must step up and continue the progress we have made in ending the War on Drugs. When the Garden State legalized marijuana in 2021 we ended approximately 50% of the War on Drugs.

We did not eliminate black market marijuana, but we created a legal alternative that significantly reduced the violence associated with illegal sales of marijuana. When disputes arise in any illegal market there is no access to the court system to resolve these disputes–they must be settled on the streets. Prohibition is a failed policy that breeds violence and is ineffective at curtailing drug use.

Making drugs illegal only makes them more concentrated to avoid detection, and more dangerous. The relatively benign coca leaf becomes the dangerous crack cocaine dealt by violent black marketeers.

There were over 30,000 possession arrests a year in New Jersey before we legalized marijuana. These arrests and subsequent incarcerations only made it more difficult for the individuals involved to subsequently find honest work. These arrests also harmed the family and the community. When a child has a parent incarcerated it is an Adverse Childhood Event. Adverse Childhood Events make it more likely that the child will have a low socioeconomic status and be more prone to substance abuse and contact with the criminal justice system. Thus, the War on Drugs creates poverty, drug abuse, and violence.

New Jerseyans must realize that drug use is a health issue, not a criminal justice issue. There should be legal ways to purchase currently illegal drugs. In this way when an individual’s drug abuse becomes problematic it can be more easily identified and treated than it is now.

Currently illegal drugs are used for many reasons. These include treatment of mental, emotional and/or physical ailments. Some drugs are used to explore new vistas of human awareness and abilities. Drugs are also used in search of a guaranteed American right—the pursuit of happiness. The compelling reasons that drugs are used will never go away. The best we can do is reduce the harms that are associated with drug use.

Violence in Trenton can be greatly reduced by ending the War on Drugs since Ground Zero of this war is the inner city, like our own Trenton.

https://www.trentonian.com/2026/08/27/election-notebook-trenton-needs-to-reassess-response-to-drugs-ken-wolski-guest-oped/

Editor’s Note: The Trentonian’s Election Notebook is a collection of local political announcements and opinion pieces courtesy of the respective campaigns. To submit press releases, op-eds, letters, and photos, email the editor, John Berry, at jberry@Trentonian.com

CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for September 8, 2026

 

CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for September 8, 2026 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85669860687?pwd=SclxHuR9kMm9OJ7adhSxVZD9xXFtce.1

Meeting ID: 856 6986 0687
Passcode: 762252

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

New Jersey Homegrow: What Cannabis Enthusiasts Need to Know. Bipartisan bills are pending in the legislature, and the NJ Senate and Assembly return to work on 9/10/26:   

S2564/ A4576 (Adult Use, 6 plants + Medical Use, 10 plants) in Senate Judiciary, and Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committees:

• Recreational users: Must be 21+ years old, no registration required.
• Medical patients: Must be registered in the NJ Medicinal Cannabis Program, no registration for cultivation required.
• Caregivers: Can cultivate same plant limits on behalf of patients. 

S1758/ A1674 (Medical Only) – Currently in the Senate Health, Human Services Committee and Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committees:

• Medical patients: Must be registered in the NJ Medicinal Cannabis Program, must notify CRC of cultivation intent;
• Caregivers: Must be registered with the CRC, same plant limits apply;
• Registration requirement: CRC maintains a registry of home cultivators. 

Current New Jersey status: Criminal offense for growing any cannabis plants:

• 1-10 plants: 3-5 years in prison, up to $25,000 fine; 
• 10-49 plants: 5-10 years in prison, up to $150,000 fine; 
• 50+ plants: up to 20 years prison, & $300,000 fine. 

Rutgers Eagleton Cannabis Survey, March 2023: “It should be legal for an adult to grow cannabis for personal use”--39.5% strongly agreed and an additional 23.6% of respondents somewhat agreed with this statement.

MPP: All but three of the other 23 legalization states allow home cultivation! Tell your lawmakers to support S2564/A4576. MoveOn: Legalize Cannabis Home Grow in the state of New Jersey. Open Letter to Governor Sherrill: please issue a Moratorium on arrests for small medical gardens of cannabis in New Jersey. 

NORML: Assembly Bill 1291 establishes additional requirements for cannabis testing laboratories to assure that consumers are not exposed to mislabeled or contaminated products. Send email. 

NJ Bill S3452/ A1642 To strengthen Employment Protections for Medical Marijuana Patients. 

NJ can’t force cannabis companies to sign pacts with labor unions, firm says. 

Weed in Atlantic City: Dispensaries, Boardwalk Rules & Casino Policies 

CMMNJ Upcoming Events (volunteers always welcome):

•  Ewing Community Fest - September 19^th, 10 - 4 pm at TCNJ       
• NJ Cannabis Convention--NECANN: September 18-19, Atlantic City.

Federal Drug Policy Reform:

Americans for Safe Access: September is ASA’s Cannabis Safety Month, a national public education campaign to address cannabis safety concerns with compassion, credible information, and practical solutions.

Monthly Federal Policy Advisory Meeting—9/17/26, 1 -2 pm; Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 832 3434 4732; Passcode: 217838.

Medical Cannabis Patients Federal Rights--ensure those rights are respected. Register to Vote here: Register to Vote!                 

Marijuana Policy Project: Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), which would fully de-schedule cannabis, removing it from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Booker and Trump Are in Opposite Directions on Federal Cannabis Policy On average, legalization states’ cannabis arrest rates have dropped 85.53%. 

More Americans now use marijuana on a daily or near-daily basis than either alcohol or cigarettes. 

Cannabis industry encouraged as DEA rescheduling hearings conclude

FDA & HHS: Public Hearing - "Considerations for Potential Future Therapeutic Use of Psychedelic Drugs" on September 14th, 2026, 12:30 – 4:30 pm. To attend and present, register via the FDA website. Written comments must be in by 10/5/26. 

FDA is supporting the development of psychedelic drugs, including new treatments for serious mental health conditions. States Should Start Planning Now For FDA Approval Of Psychedelics. 

Harm Reduction and Risk Management; Drug Policy Facts. August 31 was International Overdose Action Day. “Trenton needs to reassess response to illegal drugs” By Ken Wolski, For The Trentonian: “Violence in Trenton can be greatly reduced by ending the War on Drugs.” 

U.S. military sinks ship used as refueling station for alleged drug-trafficking boats. 

Federally Funded Cancer Study Highlights Need To Cover Medical Marijuana Under Insurance. 

Hospital and Institutional Access: Ken asked: When will medicinal cannabis be integrated into the Capital Health System (CHS)? CHS said they formed a committee to implement in-patient and out-patient use of medicinal cannabis! 

NJ patients in hospitals, nursing homes, state institutions, group homes and hospice need access to medical cannabis. The 2019 “Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act" called for immediate implementation of “Institutional caregivers” in the state.  

NJ Medicinal Cannabis Insurance Bills: 

• A1023/S3984: Requires workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances.
• S1792: Establishes program to subsidize purchase price of medical cannabis for registered patients enrolled in Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs.
• S4023: Allows costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO. 

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

• Next meeting: Wed., September 9, 2026, 11 am. Watch on Zoom or on YouTube
• NJ’s Medical Marijuana Card Program Is Expanding Patient Access
• Be Cannabis S.M.A.R.T. Safe & Responsible Consumption
• NJ CRC’s pamphlet about medical cannabis patient rights/protections.
• CMMNJ Seeks SEEF Grant from NJ CRC.

Medicinal Cannabis Program Participation (as of 8/15/2026)

• Total patients: 43,690 (from a high of 129,369 in May 2022).
• Caregivers: 2,861
• Doctors: 1,555
• Month to Month Patient Numbers

Treasury report: $7,324.

CMMNJ BlogSpot: Fundraiser to Support Senior Harm-Reduction

Fundraising ideas are always welcome. CMMNJ has thousands of hemp wristbands. Can your organization use them? See the photo below.

Or scan:

The goal of CMMNJ, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is to have safe, legal, and affordable access to all plant medicine for all qualified New Jersey patients, and to end the ineffective and counterproductive War on Drugs.

CMMNJ was instrumental in getting the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act introduced into the New Jersey Legislature in 2005 and signed into law in 2010. Legal sales of medical marijuana in the state began on December 6, 2012.

In 2014, CMMNJ’s Board of Directors endorsed legalization of marijuana since legalization is the best way to get this essential medicine to the most people. Legalization will also start to undo the harm that is caused by drug prohibition. In 2021, New Jersey became the 13th state in the U.S. to fully legalize marijuana.

CMMNJ’s ongoing goals include home cultivation rights; insurance coverage; and hospital & institutional access for medical cannabis, along with safe and legal access to all plant medicine.

Please support our work and keep CMMNJ alive through 2026!

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: https://cmmnj.org/

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.