NORML NJ National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, New Jersey » The New Jersey compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act

NBC4 NY Video: Inside Look at NJ Medical Marijuana Dealer

B0ard — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:42:24 +0000

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

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: Medical marijuana law offers new centralized approach

B0ard — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:38:04 +0000

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

Action Alert: Ask Gov. For A Medical Marijuana Pardon!

B0ard — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:05:53 +0000

UPDATE - Please continue to contact Gov. Corzine and the state Attorney General’s office and demand justice for MS patient John Wilson. On 12/17/09 John was convicted of second and third degree felony offenses and faces up to 5 years in prison. For your convenience, a pre-written letter will be e-mailed to Gov. Corzine and the AG’s office when you enter your contact information.

CLICK HERE TO SEND A LETTER NOW!

For more information about this campaign, please contact NORML New Jersey or the Coalition for Medical Marijuana – New Jersey.

NORML Republican Mom Challenges Chris Christie

Anne Davis — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:56:59 +0000

Anne Davis speaks at the NORML 4-20 Freedom Forum in Philadelphia

11/6/2009 – Anne Davis

NORML-NJ Board of Directors, Executive Committee

The tide is changing politically and more conservatives are recognizing that the failed policy of marijuana prohibition must end. As a Republican and a mother of two I have joined those compassionate supporters of common sense cannabis policy. Republican Senator Baroni supports the NJ Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act. For Senator Baroni the personal stories of patients caused him to champion this issue from within his traditional Republican role of conservatism. He was a strong voice in favor of the bill on the Senate Floor as it was considered this February. One could hear from his passionate speech that he clearly felt sympathy for these patients that have found marijuana eases their pain and daily suffering.

There are more and more Republicans standing up nationally, recognizing that the marijuana laws must change. The scientific evidence is clear that it is less harmful to the body than the numerous pharmaceutical drugs that are prescribed. Every day as the media increasingly covers cannabis and its related issues, it is becoming more apparent that society is not opposed to the medical use of marijuana. Sen. Baroni and other Republicans do what they know is right.

Right now we have an urgent case involving medical marijuana. NJ resident John Ray Wilson, a 36-year-old MS patient, is facing 20 years in prison for growing cannabis plants to treat his MS. Though he grew 17 plants at his home for his own medical use, he is charged with operating a manufacturing facility. Recently the judge assigned to his case ruled that John was not permitted to mention during his trial that he had MS. New Jersey Senators Scutari and Lesniack have requested a pardon from the Governor recognizing that his criminal prosecution is wrong.

Many of the legislators in this state already recognize that it is vital to stop wasting taxpayers dollars on needless prosecutions like that of John Wilson. We are in an economic crisis and there is no bigger waste of government spending than on criminal prosecution of medical marijuana patients. No politician can justify this spending of our tax dollars on police resources, prosecutors, judiciary resources, jails, prisons, intervention programs, and probation programs. These patients harm no one and the Compassionate Use Act does not change the existing law for recreational possession, driving or anything else. The bill removes burdens for law enforcement, provides scientifically proven therapeutic relief and allows state regulated alternative treatment centers to provide safe, restricted cannabis distribution to authorized patients.

My faith is with fellow Republican, Governor Elect Christopher Christie, to do what is right. I hope that he will remain true to his campaign promise to support The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, protecting these patients while putting an end to wasteful government spending.

Anne M. Davis Esq,

Brick, NJ

NORML-NJ Board of Directors

Editorials: Support for NJ Medical Cannabis Grows

B0ard — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:41:53 +0000

Jim Miller remembers his wife Cheryl

10/24/09 by Chris Goldstein

Two local newspapers offered new editorials this week favoring medical marijuana in the wake of the new Department of Justice memo issued Monday.

The General Assembly is expected to see The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act in a floor vote this fall.

Philadelphia Inquirer: Easing Their Pain

The Obama administration’s new policy on medical marijuana should make it easier for New Jersey and Pennsylvania to legalize its use for seriously ill patients.

The Justice Department has removed a major legal hurdle by issuing a memo directing federal prosecutors in states that allow medical marijuana not to target patients or their sanctioned suppliers when the drug is purchased for legitimate purposes.

Read Full Editorial

Times of Trenton: It’s About Time

New Jersey legislators, poised to vote on the issue, may be encouraged by the federal change of heart. It reflects the opinion of a majority of Americans — and 82 percent of N.J. residents — who favor dispensing marijuana to patients.

With the new federal policy in place, there is no reason for New Jersey to any longer delay legalizing medical marijuana.

Read Full Editorial

NORML New Jersey encourages those who support the bill to visit the online Action Center. Take a few moments to send an email to your elected officials and ask them to cast thier vote in favor of safe, medical marijuana for New Jersey! CLICK HERE TO CONTACT ELECTED OFFICIALS IN NJ

For more information about medical cannabis in NJ please visit the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey www.cmmnj.org

NORML-NJ Asks Jay Leno for Apology

B0ard — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:27:50 +0000

Georgine DiMaria speaks at the NORML Freedom Forum 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NORML-NJ
www.normlnj.org
Working to reform Marijuana Laws in the Garden State

WHAT: Jay Leno vs. Miss New Jersey 2006 Georgine DiMaria on Medical Marijuana
CONTACT: Chris Goldstein director (at) normlnj.org

NORML-NJ Asks Jay Leno for Apology

On the Oct 22 episode of the Jay Leno Show the iconic host mentions NORML-NJ Board member Georgine DiMaria in the opening monologue.

Jay Leno- “Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker reports this week that the 2006 Miss NJ winner Georgine DiMaria – Miss New Jersey- She uses medical marijuana to treat asthma. Smoking to treat asthma really? Isn’t that like eating at Taco Bell to control your diarrhea? Let me tell you something, you know If Miss New Jersey wants to help her breathing Move out of New Jersey.”
WATCH http://www.thejaylenoshow.com/video/episodes/#vid=1169189

Georgine DiMaria is Miss New Jersey 2006 and serves on the Board of Directors at NORML-NJ, the local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

In April of this year, Georgi revealed for the first time publicly her personal experience with medical cannabis to treat asthma though vaporization.

Washington post columnist Kathleen Parker mentions that fact in her article this week: A woman’s crusade to legalize marijuana READ HERE

While pleased at the mention in the Jay Leno Show there were a number of inaccuracies contained in the short joke. NORML-NJ is asking that an apology be issued to Ms. DiMaria by NBC Universal, the Jay Leno Show and Mr. Leno himself.

Georgine issued a full statement today. “Even though Mr. Leno’s remarks were misinformed about my personal use and took a tiresome shot at New Jersey’s air quality it’s another indication of just how mainstream medical cannabis has become. The whole reason I originally went public with my medical marijuana experience is to advocate for the compassionate use of marijuana and our rights, as patients, to feel healthy.” READ FULL STATEMENT

Georgine does not advocate personally for smoking medical cannabis. She has found that the most beneficial and effective way to ingest medical marijuana is through vaporization, which has served as her method of treatment.

Frederic DiMaria, Jr., Esq., Chairman of NORML-NJ said today, “As a practicing criminal defense attorney, every day I am forced to witness the arrest, vicious prosecution and jailing of countless sick and dying New Jerseans for doing nothing more egregious than turning to the enormous medicinal benefits of natural marijuana for relief. Unfortunately, not even Jay can make that fact funny.”

NORML’s national office in Washington DC issued the following statements about Leno’s remarks.

NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano, “To the uninformed and the non-afflicted the medicinal use of marijuana as a bronchodilator may sound humorous, but to those stricken with asthma the issue is no laughing matter. Even a cursory reference of the scientific literature will reveal that marijuana inhalation has historically been used as an asthma remedy, as the compounds in cannabis open the airways rather than constrict them. This effect is just the opposite of that experienced by those who inhale tobacco. A key word search on the site Pubmed using the terms “marijuana” and “asthma” reveals over 60 references in the scientific literature on the subject, among them: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1099949

Effects of smoked marijuana in experimentally induced asthma:
After methacholine-induced bronchospasm, placebo marijuana and saline inhalation produced minimal changes in specific airway conductance and thoracic gas volume, whereas 2.0 per cent marijuana and isoproterenol each caused a prompt correction of the bronchospasm and associated hyperinflation.

Jay Leno should stick to the subject he knows best: comedy, and leave the medical discussions to the experts — physicians and their patients.”

NORML’s National Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said, “Ironically, the use of medical cannabis for asthma, and other respiratory conditions, are some of the oldest reported uses of the drug for medicinal purposes, and the subject of numerous scientific papers going back to the late 1880s.”

NORML-NJ Executive Director Chris Goldstein welcomed the attention to the medical marijuana legislation moving ahead in New Jersey. “Medical cannabis is a serious issue and patients may soon have legal protections for their use of cannabis therapy. We need to pass our bill this year.”

More about NORML-NJ at www.normlnj.org

More about medical marijuana in NJ at www.cmmnj.org

CONTACT: Chris Goldstein director (at) normlnj.org