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.

More info at http://www.examiner.com/x-29881-Philadelphia-NORML-Examiner~y2010m5d3-VIDEO-PhillyNORML-2010-Global-Marijuana-March

Chris Goldstein is a member of NORML-NJ’s Board of Directors. He recently published a blog estimating the size and scale of the current underground marijuana economy in the Garden State.

Big bust in NJ tiny part of $1 billion local pot economy

New Jersey’s new Attorney General Paula Dow held [...]]]>

Regulated cannabis growing in Oakland, CA

Chris Goldstein is a member of NORML-NJ’s Board of Directors. He recently published a blog estimating the size and scale of the current underground marijuana economy in the Garden State.

Big bust in NJ tiny part of $1 billion local pot economy

New Jersey’s new Attorney General Paula Dow held a press conference yesterday lauding the largest marijuana bust of living cannabis plants in the state’s history. But authorities involved are well aware that the amount seized is just a small drop in a very large bucket.

….
Over 30, 000 New Jersey residents are arrested every year for a marijuana violation, more than 80% are for possession of less than 50 grams.

There is an assumption nationally that actual pot arrests account for about 1% of overall users. That could mean that there are 2-3 million marijuana consumers in New Jersey.

The state has about 10 million permanent residents overall.

This week the California Board of Equalization (BOE) released a report that CA residents are consuming over 1 million pounds of marijuana every 365 days. The CA BOE also concluded that 22.3 million pounds of marijuana were grown in California in 2006 alone. Read the CA BOE report

While New Jersey’s marijuana market is likely not on the same scale of California, a safe hypothesis could assume that there are indeed several million pounds of marijuana grown in the Garden State each year to keep up with local demand.

Let’s do a little math experiment: To supply 2 million cannabis consumers with just ¼ ounce per month of mid-grade underground marijuana at a cost of $50 per quarter-ounce would make for a $1.2 billion dollar pot market just in New Jersey; every year.

This theory would also mean that NJ residents consume at least 375,000 pounds of cannabis annually.

These are just conservative estimates by a blogger with a calculator.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Hundreds in New Brunswick Sign Petition to Change Local Marijuana Law

New Brunswick, NJ – Volunteers from the National Organization for the Reform of [...]]]> 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

WHERE: 100 W. State Street Trenton

NJ: Supporters gather for historic medical marijuana vote

Trenton – Patients and advocates are gathering on January 11, 2010 to witness an historic vote in the New Jersey legislature on medical cannabis. First introduced in 2005, The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act has bi-partisan [...]]]> WHEN: 12 Noon January 11, 2010

WHERE: 100 W. State Street Trenton

NJ: Supporters gather for historic medical marijuana vote

Trenton – Patients and advocates are gathering on January 11, 2010 to witness an historic vote in the New Jersey legislature on medical cannabis. First introduced in 2005, The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act has bi-partisan support and is favored to pass. It would make NJ the 14th state to offer regulated medical cannabis access to those suffering from serious medical conditions.

CMMNJ and NORML-NJ are coordinating public support in Trenton on Monday. Patients, their families and supporters of medical marijuana are being asked to continue their email and telephone contacts with legislators urging them to vote ‘yes’ on the bill. CONTACT NOW

Committee Room # 9 on the 3rd Floor of the State House Annex has been reserved for media relations and a patient rest area. NORML-NJ supporters are being asked to have a strong presence in front of the State House as well as within the Senate and Assembly chambers. Free stickers and buttons will be available, please dress in business attire.

A press conference is planned in the Rotunda area of the State House following the final votes, when they occur. Because of the nature of these last legislative sessions an exact time will not be available. Please check the NORML-NJ Blog www.normlnj.org for updates on 1/11/10.

The current language of The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act A804/S119 would implement the most tightly regulated medical marijuana program in the country. Local advocates are confident that the bill will benefit those suffering from some of the most serious medical conditions anyone must bear such as HIV/AIDS, Cancer, MS and ALS.

Medical marijuana is a concept that has significant public support in New Jersey with 86% of residents backing a state authorized program. Most of the major newspapers in the region have offered their editorial endorsement of the bill. Organizations such as the New Jersey State Nurses Association, The New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians, The New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization along with other patient advocacy groups have strongly and consistently supported medical marijuana legislation in the state.
Contacts and directions
Email NJ legislators about medical marijuana:  http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=12767456

Media may contact NORML-NJ for information about the bill:
director@normlnj.org

Directions to the NJ State House in Trenton
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/directions.asp

Executive Director, NORML-New Jersey

Board of Directors, The Coalition for Medical Marijuana- NJ

As someone who has advocated for safe medical marijuana access I am writing today to strongly urge you to vote ‘Yes’ in this final phase of The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act A804/S119.

Please, vote ‘Yes’ to allow your fellow [...]]]> 1/8/2010 From: Chris Goldstein

Executive Director, NORML-New Jersey

Board of Directors, The Coalition for Medical Marijuana- NJ

As someone who has advocated for safe medical marijuana access I am writing today to strongly urge you to vote ‘Yes’ in this final phase of The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act A804/S119.

Please, vote ‘Yes’ to allow your fellow New Jersey residents to treat symptoms or diseases that are the most horrifying to face or relief at the end of life.

Vote ‘Yes’ to stop the arrest of seriously ill and dying NJ residents who choose the scientifically proven therapy of marijuana. I have personally witnessed the awful impact that medical cannabis prohibition is having on those suffering, such as MS patient John Wilson in Somerset County.

Vote ‘Yes’ to allow the same access to medical cannabis that exists in 13 other states and has been allowed by Congress recently in the District of Columbia. While there has been media attention paid to a few of those states, many of our nation’s medical marijuana programs run as a quiet success for those who desperately need this therapy.

2009 was a year that saw a tangible shift by the federal government on medical marijuana. The Department of Justice asked US Attorneys not to spend their resources prosecuting state authorized medical marijuana patients, caregivers and facilities.

During my own interactions with elected officials on all levels and the public, reasonable questions arise when considering a medical cannabis program. The New Jersey Legislature has considered this bill since 2005 and has continually refined the language. The result in 2010 is pragmatic legislation that sought to best protect and serve patients’ needs.

The current language of The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act A804/S119 would implement the most restrictive and tightly regulated medical marijuana program in the country. As advocates, we are confident that the current bill will benefit those suffering from some of the most serious medical conditions anyone must bear such as HIV/AIDS, Cancer, MS and ALS.

Medical marijuana is a concept that has significant public support, with 86% of residents favoring a state authorized program. Most major newspapers in the region have offered their editorial endorsement of the New Jersey bill. Organizations such as the New Jersey State Nurses Association, The New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians, The New Jersey Hospice and Palliative Care Organization along with other patient advocacy groups have strongly and consistently endorsed this medical marijuana legislation.

Please keep in mind that many NJ residents are indeed supporting the medical cannabis effort from the confines of their homes, hospital beds or hospice care facilities. Those who may directly benefit from an authorized access program in New Jersey have reached out to you to tell their stories and ask for your support. Thousands of calls, emails and postcards have been sent in from every area of the state.

I would ask that you review the compelling and even heartbreaking public testimony offered to the Senate and Assembly committees by these patients. These residents have had the courage to tell you the truth about the benefits of medical marijuana for their conditions, offering as much information as possible with advocates and medical experts.

Our plea is to allow safe, regulated access to this proven treatment and to stop making refugees or criminals of the sick and dying who legitimately seek relief from medical marijuana. In no uncertain terms; your support on January 11th will benefit those who suffer the most in NJ.

Please, vote ‘Yes” on Monday for The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act S119/A804.

Sincerely,

Chris Goldstein

Outrage has been generated by the overzealous prosecution on the part of the state Attorney General’s office.  John is charged under felony drug manufacturing [...]]]> Somerville, NJ – John Wilson is facing a nightmare scenario: Living with Multiple Sclerosis and without health care he is facing 15-35 years in state prison for growing just seventeen cannabis plants.

Outrage has been generated by the overzealous prosecution on the part of the state Attorney General’s office.  John is charged under felony drug manufacturing statues meant for kingpins and not personal use.  The final straw came when the judge in the trial refused to let John even mention to the jury that he has MS.

NORML-New Jersey joined with the CMMNJ in rally to support John 12/14 as jury selection got underway at the Somerset County Courthouse. Although the rally was a success, John continues to face a frightening sentence as the trial moves ahead.

Below is video news from WPVI-TV Channel 6 in Philadelphia.  Anne Davis and Jim Miller are both featured in the piece, they are both on the NORML NJ Board of Directors. Much of the NORML-NJ Board was present,  including:  Fred DiMaria, Nicole DiMaria, Kristine Schroeder, Jeff Glock, Jim Miller, Ken Wolski and Chris Goldstein.

Thanks to everyone who attended the rally! Please send an online letter to Governor Corzine and Attorney General Milgram.