CMMNJ

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

CMMNJ Meeting Agenda for July 8, 2025

CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for July 8, 2025 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
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Meeting ID: 810 8208 1092
Passcode: 204774

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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:

The Primary Election to be the next NJ Governor was won on the Democratic side by Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), who is pro-cannabis, while the Republican winner, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, has more mixed views. They now face each other in the Tuesday, November 4^th election. Sherill has an “A” for her voting record in Congress from NORML. Sherrill has an early 20 point lead in a Rutgers/Eagleton poll, but the winner will be decided by who turns out to vote in November. Regardless of your candidate of choice, cannabis reformers are encouraged to register and vote in all elections.

NJ Senator Scutari’s bill S4154, “Establishes crime of selling or purchasing marijuana from unlicensed businesses." Comments sent to Senate Judiciary Committee: “The American way to deal with competition--undercut the prices of the black-market and put them out of business. This will allow the legal cannabis industry to thrive.” Sign NORML's S4154 action alert.

Longtime cannabis advocate Chris Almada won the Democratic nomination to be the Dover 3^rd Ward Town Councilman in a primary upset last week.

Congratulations to Board member Mike Brennan for submitting letters to Jersey news media on per se THC DUI laws. He cites the unfairness and inaccuracy of basing evidence of impairment on urinalysis results of THC.

Intoxicating hemp-derived beverages like THC seltzer drinks sold in liquor stores are becoming increasingly popular. Made with less than 0.3% THC by weight, hemp seltzer drinks are 2018 Farm Bill compliant and 100% federally legal. The bill must be renewed soon since it expires in September.

Delta 8 THC “intoxicating hemp” regulation bills were rammed through the NJ legislature. The bills overwhelmingly passed the Assembly and State Senate.

Let Advanced Practice Nurses Recommend Medical Cannabis: NORML Petition

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

Next meeting: Thursday, July 15, 2025 will be virtual, at 11 a.m. Register to speak here by July 11th at 5 p.m. Submit comments in writing by July 17th at 5 p.m.

Watch on Zoom or on YouTube

CRC Commissioners Delgado and Del Cid Corso resigned; the CRC is down to three commissioners: Dianna Houenou, Amelia Mapp, and Krista G. Nash.

Introducing NJ-CRC's Cannabis Business News

The CRC began accepting applications for Cannabis Consumption Areas on January 2^nd from Social Equity and Economically Disadvantaged Area businesses only. On April 2^nd, micro and diversely owned, and on July 2^nd, from everyone else.

The Cannabis Training Academy (NJ CTA) provides education about the NJ cannabis industry history, the impact of cannabis prohibition, current laws and regulations, business and financial strategies, and the state licensing process.

Federal Drug Policy Reform:

Another broken promise: Trump is targeting states’ power over medical marijuana

Steph Sherer, Americans for Safe Access: More than six million Americans rely on state medical cannabis programs. But Trump’s FY 2026 budget proposal reveals not only the fragility of patient protections but also exposes Congress’s failure to fulfill its promise to medical cannabis patients.

NORML: Tell Congress: Don't Strip Medical Marijuana Protections From the Federal Budget

Delaware’s adult-use marijuana market will officially launch on August 1.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed HB 46 into law, making Texas the 40th medical cannabis state in the United States! Texas’ medical cannabis program remains very restrictive, but this is huge progress in a challenging legislature.

Psychedelic therapies promise to revolutionize how we treat mental challenges not only for Vets, but others in our society. We’ll continue to fight for our vets.

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) said in an op-ed that he will "dedicate the rest of my life" to advocating for access to the psychedelic ibogaine.

People are using AI to 'sit' with them while they trip on psychedelics: Some believe chatbots like ChatGPT can provide an affordablealternative to in-person psychedelic-assisted therapy. Many experts say it's a bad idea.

Retired boxer Mike Tyson told President Trump to reschedule, and ultimately legalize, marijuana on one of Trump’s most-watched TV networks: Fox News.

Doctors for Drug Policy Reform (D4DPR) is prioritizing cannabis regulation, the decriminalization and therapeutic use of psychedelics as well as overdose prevention centers.

Marijuana Industry Workers Are The Happiest In Any Job Sector In The U.S., Survey Finds Well, Duhh.

May was the 45th anniversary of the first congressional hearing on medical cannabis, the Task Force on Therapeutic Uses of Marihuana and Schedule I Drugs.

YOUR CANNABINOID RESEARCH LIBRARY: Stay up to date on the research on CBD, cannabis & the cannabinoids!

Ukraine legally imported medical marijuana products from Spain last month, aligning themselves with European healthcare.

Dana Beal’s GoFundMe for his trial expenses. More info at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp-kILfYSPk

Upcoming events: Cannademix, July 4^th weekend

Cannabis Patient Awareness Day, 7/10/25; NJ State House, 11:11am - 2pm; Mad Hatter, 845 Rt. 1, Avenel, at 4:20 pm.

MPP: National Cannabis Festival 2025, Washington, DC July 18-19, 2025.

NE CANN: Atlantic City Convention Center, 9/5-6/2025. CMMNJ will be at Booth #710. Andrea Raible is presenting (njhomegrow.com, safeleafsociety.com.)

Patients Out of Time: The 16th National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, From Prohibition to Recognition, in Charlottesville, VA, 9/14-16/2025.

Psychedelic Conference, U. Penn, Nov. 15, 2025.

Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC) 3rd Annual Medical Cannabis Conference,
Metropolitan State University of Denver, October 24– October 25. Guy is speaking.

CMMNJ’s ongoing goals:

Insurance bills: Press release: NJSNA supports insurance for medicinal cannabis

· S1944: Costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO.

· S1943/A4371: Requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage.

· A898/ S2828: Subsidize medical cannabis in Medicaid or NJ Family Care.

Home cultivation bills: Website: https://www.letpatientsgrownj.com/ Petition: End the Blockade on NJ Senate bill S1393; the bill has bipartisan co-sponsors, but no committee hearing has been scheduled yet. Sign NORML’s S1393 Action Alert.

· S1393/A846: Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis.

· S1985/A3867: 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 need access to medical cannabis. Patient outcomes would improve, and health care costs would be reduced with access to medical cannabis.

In 2023 CMMNJ endorsed psychedelic research and the safe use of psychedelics. A3852/S2283 "Psilocybin Behavioral Health Access and Services Act"

Treasury report: $9,060.

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

Make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal to info@cmmnj.org, or send a check to: CMMNJ, 219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618

Or scan:

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.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

S4154: Establishes crime of selling or purchasing marijuana from unlicensed businesses

Comments on S4154

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA

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

Chairman, Trenton Cannabis Advisory Committee

New Jersey Senate President Nick Scutari’s bill S4154 “Establishes crime of selling or purchasing marijuana from unlicensed businesses.” This bill criminalizes the "knowing" purchase from the illegal dispensaries with a 6-month jail term and a fine as a Disorderly Person. This bill also establishes additional penalties for the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of marijuana by a business not licensed by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC).

This bill is in response to the proliferation of unlicensed, i.e., black-market, sales of marijuana in the state that are harming the new, legal marijuana industry here. But there are other, more effective ways, to diminish the impact of the black-market on the legal industry, rather than creating more criminal penalties. That is, by passing into law the medicinal cannabis insurance bills, and the home cultivation bills that are currently in the New Jersey Legislature.

The medicinal cannabis insurance bills are:

· S1944: Allows costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO.

· S1943/A4371: Requires workers' compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances.

· A898/S2828: Establishes program to subsidize purchase price of medical cannabis for registered qualifying patients enrolled in Medicaid or NJ FamilyCare programs.

The home cultivation bills are:

· S1393/A846: Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis.

· S1985/A3867: Legalizes six plants for personal use and 10 plants for medical purposes.

When the insurance bills become law, an ounce of medicinal cannabis can be sold to registered patients for a $15 copay, rather than the $250 - $300 an ounce currently charged on the black-market. The CRC’s Medicinal Cannabis Program will explode with new patients, and healthcare costs will go down throughout the state, as described in the Press Release, “NJSNA (The New Jersey State Nurses Association) supports insurance for medicinal cannabis.” See: https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/2025/05/njsna-supports-insurance-for-medicinal.html

Insurance coverage will make the medical benefits of cannabis available to many residents who have been impoverished by their illnesses or injuries. These bills will also reduce healthcare costs in the state. Cannabis stabilizes multiple conditions. Greater access to cannabis therapy will allow patients to require:

· fewer pharmaceutical drugs;

· fewer surgical procedures; and,

· fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

When home cultivation of cannabis is legally permitted, this will be another tool to undercut the black-market.

Home cultivation sites will be registered with the CRC, regulated to ensure they are safely maintained, and even taxed.

Current purchasers of black-market marijuana are not to blame for the legal market’s failure to thrive. It is cruel to punish them. Many are undoubtedly patients who are desperate for lower costs. To penalize the purchase of a product from an unlicensed store is entirely inappropriate. The purchaser cannot be expected to know if a store is properly licensed, and if the products there are properly regulated.

With medicinal cannabis insurance coverage and home cultivation rights, there will be an ample supply of affordable and regulated cannabis for consumers in New Jersey.

That's the American way to deal with competition--undercut the prices of the black-market and put them out of business. This will allow the legal cannabis industry to thrive.

Ken Wolski, RN, MPA

219 Woodside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618
609.394.2137

ohamkrw@aol.com

https://cmmnj.blogspot.com/

https://cmmnj.org/

June 10, 2025

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Agenda for June 10, 2025

CMMNJ Monthly Zoom Meeting Agenda for June 10, 2025 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87433318361?pwd=WGhh6SVw2WBF9dFWe5MRdQEV6S6io4.1

Meeting ID: 874 3331 8361 Passcode: 332769

One tap mobile: (305) 224-1968, ID 874 3331 8361#, Passcode: 332769#

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kegZONpem1

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:

NJ primary election, June 10, 2025: Polls close at 8 pm tonight! Did you vote?

Official Primary Election Candidates: Governor
Unofficial Primary Election Candidates Email: Governor

Official Primary Election Candidates: General Assembly
Unofficial Primary Election Candidates Email: General Assembly

Bill A913 to allow NJ patients to use medicinal cannabis for sickle cell anemia passed in the Assembly 05/22/2025: Session Voting: Yes: 71, No: 2, Not Voting: 3, Abstain: 4. The companion bill, S2392, has yet to have a hearing.

NJ Senator Scutari’s bill S4154, “Establishes crime of selling or purchasing marijuana from unlicensed businesses" had an informational hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 29. See Mike Brennan’s testimony, “Opposing Recriminalization of Cannabis Possession.” Mike’s testimony at the audio recording of the hearing begins at the 1:46:00 mark and ends at 1:51:57. The NJ Attorney General is expected at a follow-up meeting to explain why LEO’s are not prosecuting unlicensed dispensaries. “Our legal operators are going to be out of business. They cannot compete,” Trenton Law Director Wes Bridges declared. Sign NORML's S4154 action alert.

Cannademix’s 3^rd annual Unity convention featured advocating for homegrowing along with consumer and patient rights, including the need for testing. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop endorsed medical magic mushrooms for veterans, and said he inhaled, at the convention at the American Dream Mall. “I’ll help you out with (homegrow),” Fulop said. “You got my word on that.”

The MJ Unpacked Cannabis Cup and industry convention were held in Atlantic City in May. Many newer companies won a range of awards.

NJ’s cannabis community mourns the recent death of Wayne "KannabisKing" Burrini. See Facebook photo album.

NJ’s medical cannabis home cultivation bill S1393 has bipartisan co-sponsors, but no committee hearing scheduled yet. The identical Assembly bill is A846. Sign NORML’s S1393 Action Alert.

Let Advanced Practice Nurses Recommend Medical Cannabis: NORML Petition

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

Next meeting: Thursday, June 12, 2025 will be in person at 44 South Clinton Avenue, Trenton to begin at 11 a.m. Register to speak here by June 10th at 5 p.m. Submit comments in writing to the CRC here, by June 13th at 5 p.m.

Watch on Zoom or on YouTube

Federal Drug Policy Reform:

Trump Wants To Delete State Medical Marijuana Protections in his budget request for the 2026 fiscal year, but continue to protect state hemp programs. He additionally proposes to prohibit the use of funds for “any activity that promotes the legalization of any drug or other substance included in schedule I.”

Terrance Cole will be the administrator of the DEA amid the ongoing review of a marijuana rescheduling proposal that he’s refused to commit to enacting. Cole has concerns about the dangers of marijuana including higher suicide risk.

Dana Beal’s GoFundMe for his trial expenses. More info at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp-kILfYSPk

A Lot More Older Americans Are Now Using Marijuana, Study Shows

The PA Senate defeated the House legalization bill, with its state-run dispensaries, but lawmakers said they’re aiming to reach a compromise and pass reform legislation before the budget deadline at the end of June.

Upcoming events:

MAPS: Psychedelic Science, Denver, June 16-20, 2025

MPP: National Cannabis Festival 2025, Washington, DC July 18-19, 2025.

Health Summit, public cannabis education, S. Jersey, 8/2-3/25. Elucidation

Patients Out of Time: The Road to 30, Episode 2, “The Missoula Study.” The 16th National Clinical Conference on Cannabis Therapeutics, From Prohibition to Recognition, in Charlottesville, VA, 9/14-16/2025.

Society of Cannabis Clinicians (SCC) 3rd Annual Medical Cannabis Conference,
Metropolitan State University of Denver, October 24– October 25.