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

Signatures for Lowest Priority in New Brunswick turned in

B0ard — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:20:30 +0000

NJ: Marijuana petition signatures filed in New Brunswick

Local volunteers have submitted hundreds of petition signatures to the City of New Brunswick in the hopes of making adult marijuana possession the lowest law enforcement priority. A decision on whether there were sufficient numbers of valid signatures is expected tomorrow.

Rather than decriminalizing or legalizing pot, the proposed ordinance would direct local police to consider adults in possession of a small amount of marijuana to be the least of their concerns while on patrol.

Similar “Low-Pri” ordinances have been enacted in dozens of cities across the country. The New Brunswick effort has been supported by NORML New Jersey.

If adopted, the Low-Pri ordinance could tangibly save the city valuable law enforcement resources. New Brunswick has one of the highest per-capita arrest rates for minor marijuana offenses in the state.

Anne Davis NORML-NJ Executive Director said today, “The residents would prefer their resources spent more wisely on crimes such as theft, robbery and rape.”

READ FULL ARTICLE

Senator Scutari introduces resolution to protect medical marijuana patients

B0ard — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:34:09 +0000

8/24/2010 – Although 14 states, including New Jersey, have laws allowing for medical marijuana access, registered patients still run the risk of federal prohibitions. But there is a piece of federal legislation that has been gaining support. The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act, introduced by Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts, is currently active as HR 2835.

Yesterday, New Jersey State Senator Nicholas Scutari, who sponsored the NJ medical marijuana law, introduced a resolution that would compel the Governor to support HR 2835.

Rick Cusick, Associate Publisher for High Times Magazine and NORML NJ Board Member, Speaks Out in Favor of Legalization at This Year’s Seattle Hempfest

Anne Davis — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:35:23 +0000

We are proud to feature this YouTube video of one of our outstanding Board Members, Rick Cusick, Associate Publisher of High Times Magazine, speaking at the Seattle Hempfest this year.

Hempfest is the largest annual protest festival in the world. With 5 stages, hundreds of vendors and activist booths, 1,000 volunteers and 100 year-round coordinators, Hempfest is spreading the message of drug policy reform to attendees of all ages. Attendance typically tops 100,000 people. In 2008, attendance peaked at 310,000.

Thanks Rick for being such a vehement champion of our cause!

Newest member gets high from NORML NJ

Anne Davis — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:01:32 +0000

by Anne Davis Esq., NORML-NJ Executive Director

July was a HOT month for NORML NJ. On Saturday night July 17^th Cheech and Chong invited NORML and a few patients for photos following their show in Atlantic City (Get It Legal Tour). Volunteers spent the following weekend helping out with the NORML NJ booth at the New Jersey Balloon Festival July 23, 24 and 25 in Readington, New Jersey.

Congratulations to our new member, Ellen D’Zuro of Metuchen who won the Hot Air Balloon Ride sponsored by NORML NJ. She proudly transferred her prize to her niece and our newest member, Gina DellaPietro also of Metuchen.

The three day festival was plenty of fun in the hot sun. The sight of over 100 hot air balloons in varying sizes, shapes and colors was stunning in the clear blue sky. This event draws an approximated 175,000 attendees of families from all over the region. NORML NJ signed up hundreds of new members and was welcomed by the mainstream.

We sold our new T-shirts carrying the logo, “NORMLize New Jersey for a Greener Garden State”. It was comforting to hear such positive support for ending prohibition in our State.

Special thanks to Jeff Glock for dedicating his time, talent and materials to create the banners that made us look so professional people requested to buy them.

The event would never have been run so smoothly if it weren’t for the dedication of Kevin Doherty of Manalapan. He set up, pulled together all of the details on location, coordinated and scheduled volunteers for the events and smiled the whole time. Thank you Kevin, you are an inspiration to all who seek to end prohibition.

Nicole DiMaria did an outstanding job writing and designing the literature and pamphlets for the organization.

And thank you to all volunteers who donated their time and money to be there: Kevin Doherty, Diane Pesce, William Tan, Paul Schroeder, Donielle D’Argenio, Ken Wolski, Ed Hannaman, Ron Bevacqua, Eric and Jody Emery, Fred DiMaria, Nicole DiMaria, Dan, Maryanne Bays and Leslie Reyes.

The month ended July 31^st with a fundraiser at Dinbatz Bar in Clifton, which was organized by one of our very motivated volunteers Donielle D’Argenio. She coordinated the entire event including bands, security, and prizes. Her energy and dedication to the cause will no doubt move us forward.

NORML-NJ’s new Volunteer Coordinator, Rachel Cotrino has been working behind the scenes on newsletters, coordinating volunteer talents and tasks, updating our social network status, FaceBook and keeping our events postings current.

We still need more get-togethers this Fall to strengthen our membership. We need help in finding places for regional meetings in the North, Central and South. Volunteers interested in becoming regional leaders please email annedavis1@comcast.net.

Medical Marijuana Stakeholders Meeting planned

B0ard — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 05:18:54 +0000

This event will take place in Trenton, NJ at the New Jersey State Museum Auditorium on Saturday, August 21, 2010 from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM.

Medical marijuana patients, their families, advocates, potential Alternative Treatment Center owners, and health care professionals are encouraged to attend the meeting.

Steph Sherer, Executive Director of ASA, will be the featured presenter at the Stakeholders Meeting. Steph is an international leader and expert in medical cannabis advocacy who aids in drafting legislation and advises governments around the globe. She has been a guest lecturer at University of California, Berkeley and George Washington University, DC.

READ FULL ARTICLE

John Wilson files medical marijuana appeal

B0ard — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 05:15:53 +0000

Defense attorneys James Wronko and Gilbert Miller have filed the appellate brief in the case of John Ray Wilson.

Ken Wolski, a registered nurse and Executive Director of The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey said, “This is an excellent appeal that has every chance for success. The outcome could affect all future medical marijuana trials in New Jersey.”

CMMNJ posted the full appeal document. (Read it here)

Wilson’s trial in 2009 spurred demonstrations at the Somerset County Courthouse from medical marijuana supporters. There was also significant media attention on the case.

READ FULL ARTICLE

NORML-NJ photos with Cheech and Chong

B0ard — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:44:13 +0000

Cheech and Chong rolled into Atlantic City on July 17, 2010 and took time for a photograph with members of NORML-NJ.

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

More pics with Cheech and Chong soon!

New Jersey medical marijuana law goes back to basics

B0ard — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:37:20 +0000

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

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

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