Recent NORML NJ Blog Posts
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Volunteer at NORML-NJ Today!
January 13, 2009 By Frederic DiMaria, Jr., Esq., Chairman, NORML-NJ
As you may or may not know, NORML-NJ is a volunteer organization and is comprised almost entirely of dedicated individuals willing to sacrifice some of their time for a noble pursuit. As such we heavily rely on the kind generosity of countless people to assist us in our crucial mission of ending marijuana prohibition. If marijuana reform is important to you, it has never been a better time to volunteer a little time for NORML-NJ. With the passage of the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, the momentum is on our side and we must strike while the iron is hot!
Although there are many ways to get involved, one interesting area in particular that needs immediate help concerns NORML-NJ’s Ballot Initiative to make marijuana the lowest police enforcement priority in various municipalities around the State. These “Low-Pri” initiatives, as they are known, are vital to the reform movement’s forward inertia, have been exciting and rewarding to all those involved and instill a massive sense of accomplishment. We have been making great progress and have initiatives set up in numerous towns and cites throughout New Jersey. Success, as always, depends upon support from people like you. To find out more about our exciting Low-Pri Initiatives and how you can help, or simply to find out how NORML-NJ can start a Low-Pri Initiative in your town, contact us.
Our coordinator is ready and waiting to speak with you in an effort to determine the best volunteer fit for you, given your particular schedule constraints and skill set. Even if you only have a small amount of time to give us, we will gladly welcome you into our NORML-NJ volunteer network where you will meet like-minded individuals that share your desire for marijuana reform!
If you desire more rational marijuana policies in New Jersey in the near future, jump aboard this fast moving train and help to make a difference in the lives of millions! We need your support today!
Send an email over to Evan, our Coordinator at Evan@normlnj.org and let him know you want to help!
NJ Department of Health and Senior Services launched thier new website for the medical marijuana program.
http://www.state.nj.us/health/med_marijuana.shtml
To read the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act in its entirety, please visit www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/S0500/119_R3.PDF. You may also contact our office at 609-826-3962 or send an email.
 By Anne M. Davis, Esq.
The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act will be in effect in July 2010. Initially there will be six (6) non-profit Alternative Treatment Centers (ATCs). There will be two in the North, two Central and two South.
The exact locations have not been designated. No one has been approved nor even applied at this time. It is too early to apply because the entire process must be promulgated into regulations that are being drafted.
The first six centers must be non-profit and may require a large investment. There will be no “get rich quick” opportunities as many people are speculating. This bill is designed to help the patients that have the most serious of medical conditions. There is hope that medical marijuana will be available and AFFORDABLE to these patients.
The ATCs will be required to both produce and dispense the marijuana. This is a big difference from other states. NJ prohibits home cultivation. In other states, like California, collectives are permitted to obtain the product from growers whereas NJ requires the ATC to do both grow and dispense on site.
To obtain a permit for an ATC, an application must be submitted to the Department of Health and Senior Services. NO APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME.
An applicant will be subject to criminal background investigations and fingerprinting, as will anyone serving on its Board, as an officer, or employee. Employees may overcome a disqualification on the basis of a conviction if they can show clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation.
The Dept. must approve or deny an application within 60 days of its receipt.
An ATC may charge a registered patient for the reasonable costs of producing and dispensing the marijuana.
The ATCs will be required to provide for 24 hours security; verify and keep records of patients, physicians, quantities dispersed.
The Dept will establish regulations of the ATCs to include: fee schedules for applications of ATCs; methods for testing, authenticating and guaranteeing the quality, safety and quantity of marijuana sold; which strains shall be sold; procedures to guarantee quality and safety of paraphernalia; and security of delivery methods, among other things.
The bill does include language to allow “for-profit” dispensaries; however, the bill also says that there shall be at least six ATCs in the state, with the first six being non-profit. The Department can allow more “pursuant to need” which would then open the door for “for-profit” ATCs.
NORML NJ has been flooded with calls and emails from individuals that are interested in applying for an ATC permit. We will do our best to post information on the website as it becomes available.
 By Anne M. Davis, Esq.
On January 18, 2010 Governor Corzine signed S-119, the “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.” Here is a basic rundown of the facts regarding the new law.
- A doctor must provide a “certification” for the patient to use marijuana.
- The doctor must be the primary physician or responsible for ongoing treatment of the patient’s condition.
- The following are the permitted conditions:
Seizure disorder, epilepsy, intractable skeletal muscular spasticity, glaucoma, HIV, AIDs, cancer, ALS, MS, muscular dystrophy, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, or a terminal illness with a prognosis of less than 12 months of life. These are the only qualifying conditions as of this moment. If you have any other condition that is not listed here, you do not qualify under NJ law. However, the Department of Health and Senior Services may approve other conditions in the future.
- Home cultivation is NOT permitted.
- Marijuana must be acquired at an Alternative Treatment Center (ATC). There will initially be six non-profit centers: two North, two South and two Central. Exact locations have not been defined at this time.
- Caregivers are permitted. Caregivers may NOT grow as they are permitted in every other state. The caregivers role in New Jersey is to possess, transport and prep for the patient. Either a patient or his/her caregiver may possess up to two ounces (collectively not two ounces each). Caregivers will be subject to a criminal history background check and fingerprinting.
- A patient may only acquire, possess or use up to two ounces per month.
- Patients will need to possess a “registry identification card” which is issued by the Department of Health and Senior Services. NO APPLICATIONS ARE BEING PROCESSED YET. The Department is now drafting the procedures and applications necessary to implement the program.
- Patients that are qualified under the program may not operate motor vehicles, use marijuana in public places to include public transportation, public parks, beaches or anywhere that smoking is prohibited.
- A patient may only be registered at one ATC at any time, and may only designate one caregiver. A caregiver may only have one patient.
- Health insurance will not cover the cost of the medical marijuana.
No patients are legally protected under this bill until they have a valid registration card even if they have a qualifying condition!
- The law shall take effect within six months, which is July of 2010. The exact time frame of when the applications will be accepted, and when the first ATCs will open, is not certain at this time.
We at NORML NJ will do our best to get the information and updates to our members as it comes available.
Efforts by NORML-NJ volunteers in New Brunswick to enact a Lowest Law Enforcement Priority Ordinance are making the news in local papers. Contact Evan Nison the ballot initiatives coordinator evan@normlnj.org to get involved!
Hundreds in New Brunswick Sign Petition to Change Local Marijuana Law
New Brunswick, NJ – Volunteers from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law, New Jersey State Chapter (NORML-NJ) have begun gathering signatures from New Brunswick voters for a ballot initiative that would make marijuana arrests for personal use by adults the lowest law enforcement priority in the city.
“Passage of this initiative would increase public safety by freeing up local police resources to focus on serious issues and at the same time save taxpayer money by reducing arrests for a law that frankly, most Americans feel is unjust and more harmful to people than the drug itself.” said Evan Nison, Ballot Initiatives Coordinator for NORML-NJ.
While marijuana possession and use would remain illegal, it is hoped that a successful ballot initiative will result in a significantly reduced number of arrests for simple marijuana possession within the City of New Brunswick. Aggressively arresting and prosecuting citizens in New Brunswick for simple marijuana possession offenses costs taxpayers dearly and squanders precious New Brunswick police resources, which many feel would be much better spent on preventing and prosecuting serious and violent crime. READ FULL ARTICLE
New Brunswick group looks to make marijuana arrests by police low priority
NEW BRUNSWICK — A marijuana-law reform group is hoping to persuade city voters that marijuana possession isn’t worth the police department’s time.
The New Jersey State Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Law is gathering signatures for a ballot initiative aimed at making marijuana possession the city’s lowest law-enforcement priority. Organizers are hoping to place the question on November’s ballot. The measure would only deprioritize arrests for possession of the drug for personal use, meaning those attempting to sell or distribute the drug could remain high priorities.
Matt Brockbank, a Rutgers University senior and one of 42 volunteers circulating the petition, said marijuana possession laws are ineffective and enforcement of them wastes valuable policing time.
“New Brunswick is a dangerous city and the police have a tough time managing the crime as it is,” Brockbank said.
Similar ordinances have already been enacted in more than 30 U.S. cities, though this would be the first in New Jersey. According to NORML-NJ, a 2003 law passed in Seattle resulted in a 75-percent drop in marijuana possession arrests after two years. READ FULL ARTICLE
Breaking news form NBC New York!
Gov. Jon Corzine, in one of his last acts before leaving office, signed a medical marijuana bill into law.
Advocates say the first critically ill patients should be able to light up before the end of the year if all goes well.
“I’m actually pretty optimistic that it will get implemented” by the new administration of Governor-elect Chris Christie, said Chris Goldstein, of the NJ Coalition for Medical Marijuana. Goldstein’s primary concern is the medical profession itself. “The bigger hurdle is educating doctors so they will recommend it to their patients.” Goldstein said.
While New Jersey now becomes the 14th state with an active medical marijuana program, it is unlike any of the others.
The primary difference is that it gives the state Department of Health and Senior Services authority to license its distribution to, initially, six non-profit Alternative Treatment Centers(two in North Jersey, two in Central Jersey and two in South Jersey). DHSS has six months to draw up the rules regulating such centers. Those centers, by this new law, must grow their own pot.
READ FULL NBC ARTICLE HERE
NORML-NJ looks forward to helping patients and seeing our new medical marijuana program online.
Stay tuned to normlnj.org for more info soon!
 by Chris Goldstein – New Jersey will try a new approach for a medical marijuana program. Already allowed in 13 states and recently in the District of Columbia, regulated cannabis access has been put in place elsewhere with a network of caregivers, cultivators and compassion centers. But in New Jersey the entire process would be centralized in an innovative way. The new model needs to work because unlike the 13 other states, NJ residents will not be allowed to grow their own marijuana.
The Legislature passed The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act on 1/11/2010. Outgoing Governor Jon Corzine is expected to sign the bill into law very soon. Advocates predict that by the end of 2010 patients will be able to register and access legal medical cannabis.
The bill states that the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) must promulgate rules for the patient/caregiver registry system along with a permit process and regulations for the Alternative Treatment Centers. Those rules must be created within six months, expect to see them around July 2010.
After those rules are issued, patients can register and ATC’s can begin to be authorized. So how will it work?
NJ Medical Marijuana process
Step 1 – Doctor and Patient consultation
Step 2 – Application to the program
Step 3 – Registry card issued (A single caregiver per patient may now apply)
Step 4 – Note for 30-day supply, determined by physician, up to 2oz every month
Step 5 – Patient or Caregiver go to Alternative Treatment Center to access marijuana
Step 6 – Doctor must re-authorize monthly supply every 30-90 days
New Jersey’s new model for dispensing medical marijuana will see Alternative Treatment Centers required to grow, cure and produce all marijuana products (such as edible preparations) as well as dispense the cannabis on a single site. An ATC would also be allowed to sell marijuana consumption devices such as pipes and vaporizers.
This would create the most comprehensive medical marijuana production facilities outside of the federal government’s program at the University of Mississippi. In other states groups of cultivators send their marijuana to dispensaries or compassion centers. READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE
Chris Goldstein has been actively working on medical marijuana in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He can be reached for media requests: director@normlnj.org
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