CMMNJ's August 2013 Public Meeting Agenda

Monthly Public Meeting Agenda
Lawrence Township Library, Room #2
Tuesday, August 13, 2013; 7:00 PM -- 9:00 PM

7:00 PM:  Call meeting to order.   Approve July 2013 minutes.  Discuss:

Illinois is now the 20th medical marijuana state!

S2842, a bill to improve access to medical marijuana in NJ, is now on Gov. Christie’s desk awaiting action by him by Aug. 19, 2013.  Tell Gov. Christie to sign this important bill into law.
Send a fax at: http://lettersforvivian.org/ 
DPA: https://secure2.convio.net/dpa/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=991
NORML:http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/51046/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=11449
Tweet him @GovChristie, or write/phone at: PO Box 001, Trenton, NJ 08625 (609) 292-6000

NJ’s Medicinal Marijuana Program: Greenleaf ATC in Montclair has been shut down most of June and all of July.  No word from DOH on when Greenleaf will reopen.  About 1000 NJ patients with ID cards are on a waiting list.  Egg Harbor ATC to open in September.

The lawsuit against DOH for failure to implement the MMP is expected in court in September.
The lawsuit against the Camden Zoning Board for rejecting an ATC is also delayed until September.

Upcoming Events: "Kickin' Up Dust Summer 2013" Slightly Stoopid, Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ, August 9, 2013,  https://www.facebook.com/events/431582343597002/
NORML NJ Marijuana Reform Rally Statehouse, Trenton, NJ, Sunday, 9/8/13 3pm: https://www.facebook.com/events/600582749991970/
"Medical Marijuana: Legislation + Education = Blueprint for Change" New Jersey State Nurses Association Convention http://www.njsna.org/, 10/9/13, Bally, Atlantic City. CEUs.

Recent events: Lenny Frieling, LEAP, Millburn, NJ, 7/23: http://mmjnj.org/html/liveinvite.html
Over 2000 letters were delivered to Gov. Christie at the Statehouse, Trenton, on 8/1.

Treasury report: Checking account: $4353; PayPal account: $3611.  Billboard campaign on Facebook ended July 21 and raised $562, about 20% of total required. Campaign continues.

CMMNJ meetings are the second Tues. of each month, 7 - 9 PM at the Lawrence Twp. Library, 2751 Brunswick Pike, 08648. (Meeting at the library does not imply endorsement of our issue.)

More info:  Ken Wolski, RN, (609) 394-2137 ohamkrw@aol.com http://www.cmmnj.org
Facebook: Friends of CMMNJ: https://www.facebook.com/groups/62462971150/?fref=ts

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

Recent Media Coverage and Blogs:

Families press Christie on medical marijuana for kids bill
http://www.myfoxny.com/story/23023568/families-press-christie-on-medical-marijuana-for-kids-bill

NJ Family Continues The Fight For Children’s Medical Marijuana
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/9155618-nj-family-continues-the-fight-for-childrens-medical-marijuana/

Editorial: Gov. Chris Christie has chance to show compassion by allowing medical marijuana for suffering kids
http://www.nj.com/times-opinion/index.ssf/2013/08/editorial_gov_chris_christie_h.html#incart_river_default

Letters4Vivian letter drop off at Governor's office. 8/1/13
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFPgxceNJmQ&feature=youtu.be

Mother, son deliver letters to Christie requesting signature on kids' access to medical marijuana bill
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2013/08/hope_township_mother_son_deliv.html

Video: Parents of critically ill children deliver letters to Gov. Christie's office
http://videos.nj.com/star-ledger/2013/08/parents_of_critically_ill_chil.html

Is N.J. medical marijuana program the most expensive in nation?
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/08/is_nj_medical_marijuana_program_the_most_expensive_in_nation.html#incart_river

Families urge Gov. Christie: improve access to medical marijuana
https://www.facebook.com/ken.wolski/media_set?set=a.10151566029658657.1073741841.502598656&type=1

Egg Harbor Township-based medical marijuana CEO expecting failure
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/top_three/egg-harbor-township-based-medical-marijuana-ceo-expecting-failure/article_6628e71a-a79a-508b-bf15-520d2a2ff64c.html

The science of medical marijuana is hard
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/1011407-469/the-science-of-medical-marijuana-is-hard.html

Christie pressed to OK medical pot for children
http://articles.philly.com/2013-07-18/news/40636856_1_lettersforvivian-org-medical-marijuana-christie

Medical marijuana momentum should be building, but isn't
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/carpenter/mc-pc-medical-marijuana-momentum-20130719,0,12651.column

Where's The Weed? Chasing New Jersey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzjorQmv7DU&feature=youtu.be

Ease N.J. regulations on medical marijuana
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/letters/more-voice-of-the-people-july/article_f4076594-435b-5303-83e3-c0b4eeac716e.html

The Scoop, Compassionate Use Act
http://vimeo.com/69631430

Cannabis Care: New Hampshire medical marijuana regulators urged to learn from New Jersey’s failures
http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/news/1011522-469/cannabis-care-new-hampshire-medical-marijuana-regulators.html

Who really benefits from illegal marijuana in New Jersey?
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/philly420/Big_Bucks_In_New_Jerseys_Illegal_Marijuana_.html#Yd1zAj1SdpMbaZUr.99

Joseph D’Souza Trial
http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2013/04/joseph-dsouzas-trial.html

NJ Tries to Upgrade Med MJ, but Gov. Christie Is Opposed
http://www.hightimes.com/read/nj-tries-upgrade-med-mj-gov-christie-opposed

New bill helps kids get relief without the high
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/opinion/letters_to_editor/new-bill-helps-kids-get-relief-without-the-high/article_48510604-0395-5874-a7c2-c47435ceb4cb.html

Hope Township mother, son to urge Gov. Christie to sign kids' access to medical marijuana bill
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2013/07/hope_township_mother_son_urge.html

Families urge Gov. Christie to improve access to medical marijuana
http://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2013/07/families-urge-gov-christie-to-ease.html

Christie: 'Quack Doctors' Won't Prescribe Medical Marijuana in New Jersey
http://brick.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/christie-quack-doctors-wont-prescribe-medical-marijuana-in-new-jersey?fb_action_ids=10151514005973657&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

Parents want medical marijuana for young child
http://www.myfoxny.com/story/22690991/young-nj-girls-parents-want-medical-marijuan-for-child

Pot policy reveals a Republican rift
http://blog.nj.com/njv_paul_mulshine/2013/08/post_183.html

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Christie fails to take his own advice
http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20130805/OPINION01/308050010/LETTER-EDITOR-Christie-fails-take-his-own-advice

Christie has duty to ease children's suffering
http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20130803/NJOPINION0101/308030024/Christie-has-duty-ease-children-s-suffering

Advocates Ask for Easier Access to Medical Weed for Kids
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/politics/NJ-Child-Pot-Christie-217905051.html

Medical marijuana activists ask Christie to sign law that would ease access for kids
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/8d610ce940654050bb02643482baa035/NJ--Medical-Marijuana-Kids

The Pathos Of The War On Drugs
http://www.ladybud.com/2013/08/01/the-pathos-of-the-war-on-drugs/

New bill helps kids get relief without the high
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/opinion/letters_to_editor/new-bill-helps-kids-get-relief-without-the-high/article_48510604-0395-5874-a7c2-c47435ceb4cb.html#.UfJ0XxoyjBk.facebook

Leonard Frieling L.E.A.P. / Colorado NORML
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz270vaTxBI&feature=youtu.be

New Bill Helps Kids Get Relief Without High
http://www.ahherald.com/opinion-mainmenu-30/letters-to-the-editor/15950-new-bill-helps-kids-get-relief-without-high

Lift 3-Strain Limit on Medical Marijuana
http://www.ahherald.com/opinion-mainmenu-30/letters-to-the-editor/15938-lift-3-strain-limit-on-medical-marijuana

Extra:

Illinois now the 20th medical marijuana state!
http://www.mpp.org/states/illinois/

What Legalizing Pot In Uruguay Means For the World
http://ideas.time.com/2013/08/02/what-legalizing-pot-in-uruguay-means-for-the-world/?iid=op-main-lead

DoseNation 26: Ken Wolski, Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey
http://www.dosenation.com/listing.php?smlid=8771

Smoke Down Prohibition VII Remarks, July 26, 2013
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ken-wolski/smoke-down-prohibition-vii-remarks-july-26-2013/10151798761194808

Marijuana Legalization Advocates Return to Independence Mall This Friday for Smoke Down Prohibition VII
http://blog.norml.org/2013/07/24/marijuana-legalization-advocates-return-to-independence-mall-this-friday-for-smoke-down-prohibition-vii/#sthash.JxP6sCwd.gbpl

Cannabis Induces a Clinical Response in Patients With Crohn's Disease: A Prospective Placebo-Controlled Study
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23648372

Needless Suffering of Medical Marijuana Patient Embodies Federal-State Conflict: A Prison Extraction
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sunil-kumar-aggarwal/medical-marijuana-patient_b_3619067.html?view=screen%3Fshow_comment_id%3D270753158#comment_270753158sb=131006b=facebook

Marijuana legalization is inevitable in Indiana, rest of nation
http://www.indystar.com/article/20130606/OPINION03/306060032/Marijuana-legalization-inevitable-Indiana-rest-nation?fb_action_ids=10151474431628657&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_ref=artsharetop&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks aabout his new marijuana documentary with Craig Ferguson
http://vimeo.com/67957753

Small Amounts Of THC Can Defend Against Heart Attacks
http://www.medicaljane.com/2013/07/22/thc-is-beneficial-for-brain-heart-health/

Can Marijuana Cure Cancer? 5 Reasons Why It (Probably) Could
http://www.truthonpot.com/2013/07/30/can-cannabis-cure-cancer-5-reasons-why-it-probably-could/

D.C. records its first legal pot deal in at least 75 years
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-records-its-first-legal-pot-deal-in-at-least-75-years/2013/07/29/17521b42-f889-11e2-b018-5b8251f0c56e_story.html?tid=pm_local_pop

Cannabis for Elders: A Precarious Stat
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/07/cannabis-for-elders-a-precarious-state/278004/

Medical Marijuana: Clearing Away the Smoke
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358713/?tool=pubmed

Federally Sponsored Marijuana Study Backfires: Scientists Conclude DEA Should Reclassify Cannabis
http://www.marijuana.com/news/2013/07/federally-sponsored-marijuana-study-backfires-scientists-conclude-dea-should-reclassify-cannabis/

California pot research backs therapeutic claims
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/12/4625608/california-pot-research-backs.html

Save the date: Wednesday, October 9, 2013, 2:45pm - 3:45pm
"Medical Marijuana: Legislation + Education = Blueprint for Change"
SPEAKER: Ken Wolski,RN, MPA
WHERE: The New Jersey State Nurses Association/Institute for Nursing Convention, October 9-11, 2013, at Bally's Casino & Resort, 1900 Pacific Avenue Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401.
MORE INFO: http://www.njsna.org/

Joseph D’Souza’s Trial

If you think medical marijuana patients are no longer getting arrested in New Jersey for possession of marijuana, ask Joseph D’Souza.

Mr. D’Souza now has both a medical marijuana ID card and an arrest record for the first time in his life.

Mr. D’Souza, at 54 years of age, is a survivor of three separate bouts of cancer.  His treatment included chemotherapy, radiation therapy and multiple surgeries.  His face is permanently disfigured from surgery and he suffers from chronic pain as a result of the cancers.  He can no longer work—he’s on disability.  He qualifies for medical marijuana therapy in New Jersey and, in fact, he has a Medicinal Marijuana Program ID card from the state’s Department of Health.

Mr. D’Souza’s car was legally parked in Bayonne on February 12th when the police arrived.  His vehicle was searched and the police found a small amount of marijuana—less than a gram. Mr. D’Souza said that the marijuana belonged to a passenger.  But because Mr. D’Souza was the driver of the car he was arrested for possession of marijuana.  He is being punished because someone who obtained marijuana illegally left him holding the bag.

He is outraged that he has an ID card that would allow him to legally possess marijuana but he cannot obtain this medicine because of the months-long wait at the only Alternative Treatment Center that is open in the state.  Mr. D’Souza said that he has had his ID card for over four months.

Now Mr. D’Souza feels tremendous stress at being dragged through the criminal justice system.  He faces imprisonment and fines he cannot afford.  Mr. D’Souza also said there were eight police cars surrounding his car when he was searched and arrested, and a drug dog was brought out.  He believes this is a shameful waste of police resources.

He’s right.

In the absence of a fully functioning Medicinal Marijuana Program, New Jersey must decriminalize marijuana.  The entire Assembly agreed to this in June 2012 and the Senate should take action on this now.  Governor Christie has said that he would veto any decriminalization bill that made it to his desk.  Mr. D’Souza hopes the governor changes his mind.

Despite acknowledging the failure of the War on Drugs, the governor wants to continue to arrest 20,000 people in New Jersey each year for marijuana offenses.  Most of these arrests, like Mr. D’Souza’s, involve possession of small amounts of marijuana.  It makes no sense.

Moreover, no one knows how many of these arrestees are using marijuana medicinally.  It will be decades before New Jersey recognizes the full extent of marijuana's therapeutic potential.  Meanwhile, we must stop arresting people like Mr. D’Souza.

If you would like to show support for Mr. D’Souza, he is scheduled to have his second appearance at Bayonne Municipal Court on May 9, 2013 at 9:00 A.M.