CMMNJ Monthly Public Zoom Meeting Agenda for February 13, 2024 at 7 pm
ZOOM Meeting ID: 827 2716 6880
Passcode: 539721 Or, click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82727166880?pwd=cUZ3NXpyRDhGb0s2UU9vTWcyUmFaZz09
Agenda: New Jersey Issues:
New Jersey lawmakers filed bills on issues ranging from marijuana interstate commerce, home grow, banking and employment protections to psychedelics legalization and kratom regulations.
Nearly a dozen crime-reduction programs across NJ will share $5.2 million from the new cannabis-generated fund, which reinvests in communities most affected by the past criminalization of marijuana.
Todd Johnson of the New Jersey Cannabis Trade Association (NJCTA), which represents licensed New Jersey medical and adult use dispensaries, told Heady NJ they are for NJ medical cannabis home grow legalization. “We will continue to support CMMNJ and their efforts around homegrown cannabis for patients. The NJCTA firmly believes the legalization of home growing will expand patient access and improve care. (It) allows for the customization of strains and control over the cultivation process to create a product that treats an individual’s specific medical needs,” he explained.
Kristen Goedde of Trichome Analytical said a small, 10’x10’ canopy of growing plants is the alternative they prefer. Jared I. Mancinelli, Esq. explained: “The canopy language is better for both patients and those in opposition to home grow due to concerns of its contribution to the illicit market. A 10’x10’ area allows for proper pheno-hunting for medicinal cultivars while eliminating the opportunity for those who exploit the plant count limit through the cultivation of massive cannabis plants, where one plant could have a 10’x10’ canopy on its own.” He suggested the following amendment to S1393/A846:
a. A registered qualifying patient who is 21 years of age or older, or a designated caregiver for the patient, shall be authorized to cultivate and possess a total mature cannabis plant grow canopy area that does not exceed 100 square feet for the patient's personal medical use…Any medical cannabis that is home cultivated pursuant to this section shall be cultivated in the residence of the patient or the patient's designated caregiver, as applicable, at the address indicated in the individual's current registry information.
NORML Action Alert: New Jersey: Allow Patients to Grow Their Own Medicine
Three years after recreational use was legalized, over 50 cannabis businesses opened in New Jersey in 2023, representing a big breakthrough of the industry in the state.
New testing labs: Avoiding contaminants before you inhale or ingest your marijuana.
Legislation is pending, A2879, to re-criminalize the production and retail sale of cannabis products above 30 percent THC (for flower) and 60 percent THC (for tinctures/concentrates). Tell your legislators, “No!” with the NORML letter.
CMMNJ’s post-legalization medical cannabis goals:
- S1944: 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.
- S1943: Requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage.
- A898: Subsidize medical cannabis in Medicaid or NJ Family Care.
NJ patients in hospitals, nursing homes, state institutions, group homes and hospice are unable to access medical cannabis. Patient outcomes would improve, and health care costs would be reduced if these patients had access to medical cannabis.
Upcoming Events:
Minorities for Medical Marijuana (M4MM): Upcoming Events
Happy Wellness Expo, 3 Hillside Ave., Livingston, NJ, 3/23/24, 10am to 7pm; CMMNJ table.
Free Expungement Clinic; Bergen Co residents only, Blaze Responsibly, 2/17/24.”We’ve done expungements throughout the state of NJ, helped over 800 people last year with free legal services,” said Chirali Patel, founder of Blaze Responsibly.
For over 20 years Americans for Safe Access has been empowering patients and stakeholders to create safe access to medical cannabis.
CMMNJ Expungement Clinic, Raritan Valley Community College, 6/22/24, 12 - 4pm.
Federal Drug Policy Reform:
Colorado Legalized Recreational Pot 10 Years Ago. “Since then, customers have purchased about $12 billion of legal marijuana. The tax revenue…funds construction of schools and rec centers. Marijuana possession arrests have dropped 71%.” Colorado Public Radio
Congressman Tells DEA To Reschedule Marijuana ‘As Swiftly As Possible… Meanwhile, six former DEA heads and five former White House drug czars voiced opposition to the top federal health agency’s recommendation to reschedule marijuana.
The American Nurses Association is applauding the Department of Health and Human Services’ cannabis rescheduling recommendation, which “marks the first time HHS has publicly acknowledged marijuana’s medical use.”
Federal health officials said their review found that more than 30,000 healthcare professionals across 43 U.S. jurisdictions are authorized to recommend the medical use of marijuana for more than six million registered patients for at least 15 medical conditions.
“The case for removing marijuana from Schedule I is overwhelming. The DEA should do so by removing cannabis from the CSA altogether, rather than simply placing it in a lower schedule,” the senators wrote in the letter, first obtained by NBC News.
Congressional Research Services: Legal Consequences of Rescheduling Marijuana
Descheduling or Rescheduling Marijuana; see Ken’s comment
The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):
The next CRC meeting: Thursday, Feb 15, 11 a.m. at 44 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton.
The NJ CRC reduced registration and renewal fees for the Medicinal Cannabis Program (MCP) to just $10 for two years. With the new digital medical cannabis cards registration and renewal in the MCP will be free. NJ is making medical marijuana registration free — for the shrinking group that wants it;
Proposed rules for cannabis consumption areas • New rules would: • Allow operation of consumption areas after applying and receiving an endorsement from the NJ-CRC. • Allow operation of one (1) cannabis consumption area, regardless of the number of class 5 cannabis retailer licenses or ATC dispensary permits. • Prohibit the sale of tobacco products, alcohol, and food in consumption areas. • Require patrons to present valid photo identification to show proof of age (21 years or older) to enter the consumption area. • Allow medicinal cannabis patients to bring in cannabis items from other retailers for their use in the consumption area. • Allow consumers to bring food or have food delivered, if allowed by the business and municipality.
NJ-CRC Executive Director Jeff Brown recently projected that the state is positioned to see more than $1 billion in cannabis sales this year
Treasury report:
Checking: $10,135.
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 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.
