NORML NJ National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Jersey » nj

Support our medical marijuana law – send an email!

B0ard — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:47:40 +0000

Supporters of medical marijuana in New Jersey – National NORML has set up a service to email all NJ legislators and the Governor asking them to put The Compassionate Use Act into practice.

Please take a moment to send an email here
http://capwiz.com/norml2/issues/alert/?alertid=15171111

Link to a blog summary of the topic is below-

NJ: Legislature may keep medical marijuana law intact

Medical Marijuana press conference in Trenton on 6/4

B0ard — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:59:49 +0000

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

John Wilson released on bail as NJ Senators call for clemency

B0ard — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:14:16 +0000

Breaking: Wilson released, NJ Senators call for medical marijuana clemency

4/29/2010 by Chris Goldstein – John Wilson was released from the Southern State Correctional Facility in New Jersey today to his grateful family at about 1:45PM. Wilson was sentenced to 5 years in prison on March 19, 2010 for growing seventeen cannabis plants to treat MS. An Appellate Court ruled on Monday that he should be granted bail as his case is appealed.

On Tuesday Judge Robert B. Reed, the trial judge in the case, set bail at $15,000. Ken Wolski, Executive director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) was in the courtroom.

The prosecutor {NJ Office of the Attorney General], Cassandra Serentino, asked for $75,000 to $150,000 bail. When asked why by the judge, the prosecutor said that was what was listed for such an offense on the bail schedule, but that she would defer to the judge for “whatever you deem appropriate.”

The judge cited the fact that John had no prior criminal record, was gainfully self-employed, had a family who was at the trial every day, and had many responsible members of the community vouch for him “in the cause which he has come to represent.” READ KEN’s BLOG POST IN FULL

New Jersey passed a medical marijuana law in January, although the program will not be fully implemented until this fall. Multiple Sclerosis or MS is one of the qualifying conditions under the new law.

State Senators Raymond Lesniak and Nicholas Scutari issued a press release yesterday renewing their call for Governor Chris Christie to grant Wilson a pardon.

“The court recognized the cruelty of incarcerating an MS sufferer under these circumstances. We think Governor Christie should likewise recognize this injustice and pardon Mr. Wilson from the most serious charges,” said Senator Lesniak. “We believe that such an egregious injustice demands prompt action. Through the power of clemency invested in this State’s Chief Executive, Governor Christie can overturn an unjust and overly cruel sentence for a man simply seeking a small measure of relief from chronic pain and illness.”
“We remain hopeful that Governor Christie will see the light and order a more appropriate sentence for John Ray Wilson through a gubernatorial pardon,” said Senator Scutari. “Given our State’s budgetary woes, it does not make sense to incarcerate a non-violent offender for the personal use of medical marijuana, especially when the Legislature and the previous Governor have since legalized the medical use of the drug. Governor Christie should recognize the will of the Legislature, and of the public, and step in to overturn a prison sentence for a very sick man who felt he had nowhere else to turn for relief from his symptoms.” READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE

Before being incarcerated Wilson was living with his elderly grandmother, helping to care for her and his wheelchair-bound younger brother.

We spoke with Wilson’s mother and father today. The family is planning a barbecue for the homecoming.

“We’re just happy that he’s out,” said his mom.

John Ray Wilson: 5 year sentence for growing medical marijuana

B0ard — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:44:26 +0000

New Jersey Multiple Sclerosis patient John Ray Wilson was sentenced to 5 years in state prison today for growing 17 cannabis plants to treat his condition.

His attorney, James Wronko, said that an appeal is being planned.

Judge Robert B. Reed passed the sentence today as his mother and grandmother wept just a few feet away. John’s younger brother, who is confined to a wheelchair, was also in the courtroom.

Judge Reed mentioned the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act several times during the hearing, acknowledging that the state now recognizes marijuana as an effective treatment for MS. The law was signed on January 19, 2010.

Wilson was prosecuted by the State Attorney General’s Office, who had asked for a 7-year prison term. NJ superior Court Judge Reed took pains to explain that he was exercising the greatest leniency in accordance with the law.

Members of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (including this correspondent) were in the courtroom today along with Wilson’s family.

How big is NJ’s current pot economy?

B0ard — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:39:06 +0000

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

NORML-NJ’s Anne Davis on FOX 9

B0ard — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:31:10 +0000

Anne Davis an attorney specializing in Family Law serves on the Board of directors at NORML-NJ. Anne is also a leader in the newly formed National NORML Women’s Alliance. She appeared on FOX 9 NY/NJ this week as coverage of a large marijuana grow operation unfolded.

NEWS: NJ DHSS launches medical marijuana website

B0ard — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:37:52 +0000

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.

New Jersey medical marijuana law: What it really means

Anne Davis — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:50:28 +0000

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.

Corzine signs medical marijuana bill into law

B0ard — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:43:47 +0000

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!

NJ: Supporters gather for historic medical marijuana vote

B0ard — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:05:52 +0000

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