Anne Davis, NORML-NJ Executive Director is directly behind Tommy.

More pics with Cheech and Chong soon!

by Chris Goldstein 7-26-2010

Under increased scrutiny Governor Chris Christie’s medical marijuana plan has fallen apart. Proposals to make Rutgers University the sole cultivation source and have cannabis distributed at hospitals were a tantalizing prospect for everyone involved. But expert legal analyses have now matched the concerns pointed [...]]]> New Jersey medical marijuana law goes back to basics

by Chris Goldstein 7-26-2010

Under increased scrutiny Governor Chris Christie’s medical marijuana plan has fallen apart. Proposals to make Rutgers University the sole cultivation source and have cannabis distributed at hospitals were a tantalizing prospect for everyone involved. But expert legal analyses have now matched the concerns pointed out by local medical marijuana advocates when the Governor first floated the concept weeks ago.

Now it appears that the law will go back to its original design, a move seen as a positive step for patient access.

READ FULL ARTICLE

NJ residents may contact legislators here

Read the full text of NJ’s medical marijuana law http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/307_.HTM

Text story: NY/NJ “Medical” Pot Dealer Describes Highs and Lows of Underground Sales

by Chris Goldstein 6/19/2010

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and DHSS Commissioner Dr. Poonam Alaigh have all kinds of ideas about medical marijuana. Proposed amendments, looking to be passed as last-minute legislation next week, would completely re-invent New Jersey’s medical cannabis program to their design.

Governor [...]]]> Governor’s big medical marijuana concept is unworkable

by Chris Goldstein 6/19/2010

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and DHSS Commissioner Dr. Poonam Alaigh have all kinds of ideas about medical marijuana. Proposed amendments, looking to be passed as last-minute legislation next week, would completely re-invent New Jersey’s medical cannabis program to their design.

Governor Christie’s administration has kept a closed-door on recent discussions to alter The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. The bill took five years to pass and resulted in the nation’s strictest language for legal therapeutic cannabis use.

Potential patients, advocates and the public have been left out of plans to make changes to the hard-won law. The result is a set of proposals that would effectively doom the program to fail, before it goes into effect.

Once again ill patients could be left with only the underground market for access to cannabis for therapeutic use.

READ FULL ARTICLE

Read the full text of NJ’s medical marijuana law http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/PL09/307_.HTM

Medical Marijuana Press Conference in Jersey City on 6/17 City officials work on guidelines; patients, professionals seek timely regulations

On Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 1 PM, New Jersey medical marijuana advocacy groups will hold a press conference in front of City Hall in Jersey City.

Local cannabis policy experts are working closely with Jersey [...]]]> MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/15/2010

Medical Marijuana Press Conference in Jersey City on 6/17
City officials work on guidelines; patients, professionals seek timely regulations

On Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 1 PM, New Jersey medical marijuana advocacy groups will hold a press conference in front of City Hall in Jersey City.

Local cannabis policy experts are working closely with Jersey City officials to create municipal guidelines for the placement of an Alternative Treatment Center. The second largest city in New Jersey is seeking to welcome local, non-profit medical marijuana providers once they can be licensed for operation.

“Guidelines in Jersey City and other towns will assure a local infrastructure is ready for regulated cannabis facilities to serve patients as quickly as possible,” said CMMNJ/NORMLNJ advocate Chris Goldstein

Last month a request was made by Governor Christie for a six to twelve month extension on the issuance of the medical marijuana program regulations. The extension would require additional legislation.

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law January, 11 2010. As passed, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) was to issue draft regulations in July. Patients are anticipating access to a running program by the fall.

CMMNJ and NORML-NJ do not see any need for a delay.

Ken Wolski, a Registered Nurse and Executive Director of CMMNJ said, “Patients are suffering as they continue to wait for the program.”

Anne M. Davis, Executive Director of NORML-NJ said, “This is a law and there are no exceptions. There are patients with chronic or even terminal illnesses that cannot get an extension on life.”

The 6/17/10 press conference will feature brief statements along with a Q&A.

Speakers will include potential medical marijuana patients, medical professionals and supporters of the new law who will address the proposed delay in implementing the state’s therapeutic cannabis program.

Media may contact:
Ken Wolski: ohamkrw@aol.com (609) 394-2137
Anne Davis: law@annemdavis.com (732) 477-4700
Chris Goldstein: media@cmmnj.org

WHAT: Medical marijuana press conference
WHERE: Jersey City, NJ – In front of City Hall – 280 Grove Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
WHEN: June 17, 2010 at 1:00 PM
WHY: Timely implementation of New Jersey’s medical marijuana law, local ATC guidelines

NORML-NJ www.normlnj.org

Medical Marijuana press conference in Trenton on 6/4 Patients, professionals seek timely regulations

On Friday June 4, 2010 at 1PM local medical marijuana advocacy groups will hold a press conference at the State House in Trenton. Potential medical marijuana patients, doctors, nurses and supporters of the new law will address recent [...]]]> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 1, 2010

NORML-NJ
www.normlnj.org

Medical Marijuana press conference in Trenton on 6/4
Patients, professionals seek timely regulations

On Friday June 4, 2010 at 1PM local medical marijuana advocacy groups will hold a press conference at the State House in Trenton. Potential medical marijuana patients, doctors, nurses and supporters of the new law will address recent news of a proposed delay for implementing the program.

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was voted and signed in law in January 2010. As passed, the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) was to issue draft regulations in July and patients were anticipating access to a running program by the fall.

Last week a request was made for an additional 6 months to 1 year before the draft medical marijuana program regulations are issued. The extension would require legislation.

CMMNJ and NORML-NJ do not see any need for a delay.

Ken Wolski a registered nurse and Executive Director of The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) said, “If the DHSS cannot write these regulations in 6 months, there is no guarantee they will be able to write them in 18 months. Patients are suffering as they continue to wait for the program.”

Anne M. Davis, Executive Director of NORML-NJ said, “This is a law and there are no exceptions.  There are patients with chronic or even terminal illnesses that cannot get an extension on life.”

The 6/4/10 press conference will feature brief statements along with a Q&A. A full list of participants will be released on Thursday June 3, 2010.

CMMNJ and NORML-NJ are addressing two main points:
-    Timely implementation of the medical marijuana law
-    A request that those in the Christie Administration meet with New Jersey’s local medical cannabis experts and advocates to discuss the law.

Media may contact:
Ken Wolski ohamkrw@aol.com 609 394 2137
Anne Davis: law@annemdavis.com 732 477 4700
Chris Goldstein: media@cmmnj.org

WHAT: Medical marijuana press conference
WHERE: Trenton, NJ – State House – State Street entrance steps
WHEN: June 4, 2010 at 1:00PM
WHY: Timely implementation of the medical marijuana law

by Anne M. Davis Esq., NORML-NJ Board of Directors 5/9/10

The video of the SWAT Team raid on the home of the Whitworth family was one of the most graphic acts of violence that I ever had the unfortunate experience of viewing.  True, the man in the home [...]]]> A Mother’s Prayer to End Prohibition

by Anne M. Davis Esq., NORML-NJ Board of Directors 5/9/10

The video of the SWAT Team raid on the home of the Whitworth family was one of the most graphic acts of violence that I ever had the unfortunate experience of viewing.  True, the man in the home was in possession of marijuana.  The quantity was so small it was only enough to charge him with a misdemeanor resulting in a $300 fine.

The amount in his possession certainly did not justify a nighttime entry into a family’s home by a team of gunmen dressed in black.  Marijuana possession did not justify firing seven rounds of gunshots at the family dogs in front of the seven year old little boy who sat in terror clenching his mother as these gunmen jacked his father up against a wall.

It brings tears to my eyes to think of the horror that this little boy experienced.  I subsequently learned that police are permitted to shoot animals if they feel endangered.  The right to kill pets applies in every raid because most dogs will bark and react to a team of gunmen entering their families’ home.  In my opinion, the Missouri drug enforcement team acted no different than terrorists like the Taliban.

I wish I could believe that this was an isolated incident and wasn’t the norm.  Unfortunately, I know the truth from the experiences of my friends in the marijuana community.  I know how the DEA’s SWAT teams armed with guns knock down doors and destroy lives.  I know that loving and good parents have their children taken away for possessing marijuana in the home in quantities as small as a joint.

The most disturbing of all of this reality is that many of these victims of the drug war are medical patients with chronic illnesses.  This madness must end.

Thank you God for giving us the courage to make the progress we have seen in the past year.  Please give us the strength to end the violence and peacefully conquer the drug war.

Danny Danko (Empire State NORML),  Steve Bloom (celebstoner.com), Rick Cusick (NORML-NJ) and Chris Goldstein (PhillyNORML/NORML-NJ) in Times Square. The NORML “Money Tree” ad runs until May 30th!

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