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

Despite a public call from two state Senators for a pardon, the criminal trial against John Ray Wilson is moving ahead.

John lives with MS and used cannabis therapy for treatment. He now faces 15 years in state prison for growing 17 marijuana plants. Read more about John’s case [...]]]>

Jim Miller suppporting John Ray Wilson - mycentraljersey.com

Despite a public call from two state Senators for a pardon, the criminal trial against John Ray Wilson is moving ahead.

John lives with MS and used cannabis therapy for treatment. He now faces 15 years in state prison for growing 17 marijuana plants.
Read more about John’s case here

In August medical marijuana advocates rallied at the Somerset County Courthouse.

Volunteers plan on having a supporting presence at the courthouse through all phases of John’s trial.

The next date is December 14, 2009. Read More

John’s case has garnered national attention for the aggressiveness of the  prosecution. New Jersey’s Office of the Attorney General  is pursuing the case.

Senators push for pardon of Franklin man with MS charged with growing marijuana

A state appeals court rejected the attempt by his attorney, James Wronko of Somerville, to challenge that ruling while the case is ongoing. It could be the subject of a future appeal, he said.The two legislators are not only seeking the pardon but also pushing a bill titled “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act.” The bill would decriminalize possession and use of marijuana by state registered patients with debilitating illnesses. It would also establish treatment centers where patients can purchase the drug.

It passed the Senate in a 22-16 vote in February and awaits a vote in the Assembly.

Members of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey stood outside the Somerset County Courthouse Friday morning as Wilson was appearing before Reed in a pre-trial conference. The members held signs advocating that marijuana for medicinal purposes be legalized.

Toms River resident Jim Miller, who co-founded the organization, became involved when his late wife Cheryl faced arrest for using marijuana to relieve her pain, said the organization will be stationed outside the courthouse when Wilson goes on trial in December.

Next to Miller on the sidewalk was an empty wheelchair that held his wife’s picture.

“This entire block is going to be lined” with demonstrators during the trial, he said. “It would be nice if the governor steps in,” he said. READ IN FULL

More about medical marijuana in New Jersey at www.cmmnj.org