NJ Medical Marijuana

[big mike]

NJ Medical Marijuana: Town Hall Meeting


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHAT: CMMNJ Medical Marijuana Town Hall Meeting

WHEN: Saturday March 20, 2010

WHERE: Collingswood, NJ Public Library

CONTACT: CMMNJ ohamkrw@aol.com or media@cmmnj.org 609 394 2137



This week the Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) will hold a Town Hall Meeting regarding New Jersey’s new medical cannabis law. Prospective patients, medical marijuana policy experts and local advocates will present updates on the law’s progress and then answer questions from the public and the media.

The meeting takes place at the Collingswood Public Library from 12PM –2PM on Saturday March 20, 2010. MAP

Panelists will include: Ken Wolski RN, Chris Goldstein, Peter Rosenfeld, Jim Miller and Diane Fornbacher.

The New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law on January 19, 2010 after five years of legislative consideration. Patients expect the law to be fully implemented within 2010. The NJ Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS) will have the responsibility of overseeing the safe access program.

The CMMNJ Town Hall Meeting on 3/20 will focus on the following topics:
- Who will qualify for the program as patients and caregivers
- Operating an Alternative Treatment Center: possible regulations
- Awareness and Education for individuals and medical professionals

Panelists will also discuss the outcome of the Wilson trial. MS patient John Ray Wilson will be sentenced on Friday 3/19 at the Somerset County Courthouse. Wilson was acquitted by a jury on first-degree felony charges, but was convicted on second and third degree felonies for cultivating 17 cannabis plants. Wilson says that he was growing the cannabis to only treat his disease and does not have any health insurance.

The CMMNJ Town Hall Meeting is open to the public and the press.

Media interested in attending are asked to contact media@cmmnj.org or call 609 394 2137.

 

[Finklsteinshtkd]

I wonder what the outcome of his sentencing was...poor guy...

 

[big mike]

A proposal by Governor Christie’s administration seeks to delay the implementation of the “New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act" by up to one year. The request for a 6-12 month delay was first reported this week in the NJ Spotlight. New Jersey became the 14th US state to legalize medical marijuana on January 18, 2010. The law is scheduled to take effect in July. The bill, originally introduced in 2005 by Senator Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden), saw broad bi-partisan support when it eventually passed. It was reported that senior staff in Governor Christie's office asked for the delay because they feared the complexities of developing a business model for medical cannabis distribution. Ken Wolski, RN, Executive Director of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana--New Jersey, Inc. (CMMNJ) said, “There must be no delay in implementing this law. Patients are suffering now, and to tell them they must continue to suffer for another year because of the bureaucrats in Trenton is unacceptable.”
Advocates noted that with any delay to the program many terminally ill patients would not live to find relief with legal medical marijuana. Hospice and Palliative Care networks are some of the strongest supporters of the medical cannabis law. Wolski continued, “Marijuana is recognized as medicine in New Jersey and patients deserve timely access to it. The recent trial and conviction of MS patient John Wilson in Somerville amply proves that patients desperately need regulated access to marijuana that is legal in the eyes of police, prosecutors, judges and juries around the state.”
The new law removes penalties for the possession, and use of marijuana when a New Jersey licensed physician recommends it for one of the qualifying medical conditions. These conditions include cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, etc. Patients will be issued ID cards in a program run by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). The marijuana will be obtained from Alternative Treatment Centers that will be licensed and regulated by the state. Of the 14 medical marijuana states, only the Garden State currently prohibits patients from cultivating their own medical marijuana in the safety of their homes.
Wolski noted that in a February 2010 letter to DHSS Director Joe Eldridge, CMMNJ offered free, expert advice in the development of regulations to implement the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana law. Thus far, DHSS has not requested any information from CMMNJ. CMMNJ was formed in 2003, incorporated in New Jersey and is recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the federal government. CMMNJ is the only statewide organization solely dedicated to providing education and information about safe and legal access to medical marijuana, and it has closely followed the law’s evolution and patients’ concerns.

CMMNJ’s Board of Directors includes health care professionals, attorneys and potential patients with over 50 years of combined experience directly related to medical marijuana. CMMNJ is uniquely qualified to assist in developing effective regulations for New Jersey. Patients and advocates at CMMNJ welcome a dialogue with DHSS and the Christie Administration to discuss the best plan to implement the law.

Can anyone honestly say they didnt see this one comming...

 

[big mike]

The Christie administration is seeking to delay the July implementation of the law legalizing the use of marijuana for severely ill patients.

Related Links
Department of Health's Medical Marijuana Q&A
The measure, termed the most restrictive in the nation, was approved by the New Jersey Legislature in January 2010 and scheduled to take effect six months later. Regulations were to be in place by October, when six state-regulated pharmacy-type dispensaries would start selling to qualified patients.

But on May 21, senior staff in the Governor’s office suggested that the timetable be delayed for six to 12 months, said the bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Nicolas Scutari (D-Union).

"There are logistics involved in getting this done right," said Michael Drewniak, a spokesman for Gov. Chris Christie.

Scutari said he asked for more information from the administration but was not inclined to grant the full wish. Changing the timetable would require legislators to pass a bill.

I said, ‘Send me a memo on what your issues are, and I’ll consider it, but I’m not going to give you that much time.’ It’s been in effect since January,” Scutari said.

Donna Leusner, spokeswoman for the N.J. Department of Health and Services, said only that formulating a business model for the sale of medical marijuana was a highly complex task that has taken the department into “pioneering territory." She said the agency has a Q&A on the basics of the subject.

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Princeton Borough), a cosponsor, said he met with state health officials in April, when they were still in the "fact-finding phase." He said there had been no decision on how, or where, New Jersey will get its first seeds or rootstock.

"Do we say to dispensaries, ‘Get it where you can?’ Would the federal government, which has a federal farm for marijuana, mail it to us? Would state troopers have to escort it?” he asked. “They’re grappling with this.”

New Jersey’s Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana law was passed after years of lobbying by patient advocacy groups and others who pointed out that the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine had recognized marijuana was beneficial in treating or alleviating pain and other symptoms associated with certain debilitating medical conditions. Former Gov. Jon Corzine signed it into law on his last day in office.

The purpose of the law is to protect qualified patients, their physicians and primary caregivers, and licensed marijuana producers from arrest. Federal law prohibits all use of marijuana as a “controlled dangerous substance” like heroin and LSD.

New Jersey was the 14th state in the country, and one of the few on the East Coast, to legalize medical marijuana. The new law will allow people diagnosed with cancer, AIDS, Lou Gehrig’s disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis to buy the drug at licensed “alternative treatment centers.” They are prohibited from growing marijuana, however. Patient advocates have said 5,000 New Jerseyans are expected to apply.

The law established strict provisions under which patients would be entitled to a card establishing their legal right to buy, and entrepreneurs would be cleared to grow or sell the substance. Its implementation requires that the health department formulate many rules, from how to qualify patients to how to price marijuana. The agency must also approve the strain to be sold, for it is responsible for guaranteeing its quality and safety. State-approved patients may buy only two ounces a month.

While the state figures out the rules, interest from potential growers and sellers is mounting, according to Scutari.

“It’s all across the board, from celebrities to farmers to people just interested in new business opportunities,” he said. “There are dozens and dozens who call me. I seem to be the only one creating business here in New Jersey.”

full article

 

[igrowone]

well, that just made me sick to my stomach
i didn't have good feeling about this MMJ law, and i see nothing that is changing my mind

 

[hclip]

Here we go, didn't take long for that to happen. Honestly though did anyone expect anything different? Did NJ not realize they set themselves up to be the providers when they said patients cant grow for themselves? How are they in "pioneering territory"? Sounds like a brick wall instead, did they even read or contemplate the bill they passed.

 

[Joey Roastbeef]

Its clear that the state, is not only illed prepared to take this on, but they also seem to lack any desire to take this on.

 

[big mike]

Yup, sounds like business as usually here in jersey...

 

[big mike]

Gov. Chris Christie wants all N.J. medical marijuana grown at Rutgers

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie’s administration said Rutgers University’s agricultural center should grow the pot and hospitals should dispense it under the state’s medical marijuana program, according to three people briefed on the proposal.

If legislators agree with the administration and amend a law that passed in January, New Jersey would be the first among the 14 medical marijuana states to run a centralized production and distribution system. The proposed changes represent an even more restrictive program — beyond one that was already the most conservative in the country — and eliminate the option of entrepreneurial growers and dispensaries getting some of the state’s marijuana business.

Letting the program operate through one grower and hospitals would minimize some of Christie’s concern about the program posing a security and safety threat, according to the sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose the details.

Critics have said the governor is needlessly dragging his feet in a state that has at least 5,000 citizens who need the drug to alleviate pain and suffering.

Roseanne Scotti, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance of New Jersey, said she had heard "rumors" about the state wanting to involve Rutgers and hospitals. She said she wished the administration would stick to the bill that took years to pass.

"Why go back to drawing board, especially when seriously ill people are waiting?’’ she asked. Scotti also said the changes would limit economic growth from the medical marijuana industry.

"A lot of very responsible and respectable people have begun to step forward,’’ she said. "I thought the Christie administration is supposedly business-friendly.’’

Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), one of the law’s prime sponsors, yesterday said state health officials approached him about changing the law, but he declined to be specific. He described the changes sought by Health and Senior Services Commissioner Poonam Alaigh as "interesting" but requiring more thought.

Scutari said he understands Christie "wants to make sure this is strictly controlled — once the cat is out of the bag, it’s hard to stuff it back in. But I don’t want to see this become too restrictive ... We are not giving out poison."

He also plans to introduce a bill Monday granting the Health Department an additional 90 days — from October to January — to write the rules and roll out the program. The administration had sought up to a year’s delay.

Health Department spokeswoman Donna Leusner declined to confirm details about the proposed program.

"The department is still looking at many complex issues that will allow for design of the safest and most effective program for those patients who qualify," Leusner said.

Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), the other key sponsor, said he was "supportive, if this is where they want to go.’’

He said he especially liked how Rutgers would be given "a great opportunity academic-wise ... to be the cutting edge of developing new strains of marijuana that deal with illness.’’

Bob Goodman, executive director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station at Rutgers, declined to comment. In March, Goodman confirmed the state had contacted the station to explore forming a partnership over the medical marijuana program.

NJ.com

 

[guanito]

great idea!

 

[igrowone]

from what i can see, this is the worst excuse for state MMJ program we've seen yet
the only thing positive i see is that it so BAD that the next MMJ programs may be less bad when looking at the NJ experience
we're just an inch away from MMJ in NY, and it is looking much better than the NJ disaster

 

[big mike]

Rutgers declines growing medical marijuana to not risk federal funding

Rutgers declines growing medical marijuana to not risk federal funding

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/rutgers_declines_growing_medic.html


---

Can't say you didnt see this comming..

 

[guanito]

yeah, stupid.
they could'a been a contenda.
good opportunity they're passing up.

 

[big mike]

good opportunity they're passing up.

if they would have chose to grow mmj, they could have jeopordized $500million, thats alot of F'n money....

 

[guanito]

that's gonna look like bupkis soon.

 

[accessndx]

Looks like things are starting to get moving a bit faster in NJ. This correspondence was sent out to a variety of individuals on Oct. 28th:

Medicinal Marijuana: State Registry for Physicians
The New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services has announced the following:
Physician registration for the New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana Program (NJMMP) will start on Tuesday October 26, 2010 at 9 AM. Physicians will need to register online at http://njmmp.nj.gov. Specific instructions on registration processes will be available at the registration website.

In order for patients to register with the NJMMP, they must be certified by their physicians as having a debilitating medical condition, as specified in the P.L.2009, c 307. Patients' physicians must first register with the NJMMP. Once physicians register with and are verified/approved by the NJMMP, physicians will be able to submit patient names to the NJMMP Registry. Patients then can register with the NJMMP electronically, by mail or by fax. At this time patient registration is not active.

The NJMMP Registry is a state registry program within the Public Health Services of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS). The NJMMP's role is to administer the Registry according to state regulation. For additional information, please refer to NJDHSS's website, available at: http://www.nj.gov/health/med_marijuana.shtml.
If you have any questions regarding this information please contact:
Dr. Christina Tan, DEEOH Phone: 609-826-5967; Email: ct1@njlincs.net

 

[guanito]

pretty tight controls but it's a start.
thanks for sharing.

i couldn't believe what cuomo said though!
what a dick!
anyway the NYS med bill is schneiderman's baby, so maybe we'll see some action here soon.

best regards

 

[sutra1]

I have feeling nothing very progressive will happen (in N.J.) as long as Christie runs the show...................

 

[igrowone]

pretty tight controls but it's a start.
thanks for sharing.

i couldn't believe what cuomo said though!
what a dick!
anyway the NYS med bill is schneiderman's baby, so maybe we'll see some action here soon.

best regards

here's hoping this changes a bit, really ready for MY MMJ
not the best news, he may blink if it comes down to a veto
months to go before any activity though

 

[accessndx]

MEDICINAL MARIJUANA: Health Department Invites Public Testimony on Medical Marijuana Rules
The Department of Health and Senior Services will hold a public hearing on its proposed rules governing the State’s Medical Marijuana Program pursuant to legislation that was singed into law in the final days of the Corzine administration. The public is invited to provide testimony this Monday, December 6 at 10:00 am at the Department’s Trenton office.
Both the Department and the State Board of Medical Examiners have proposed regulations governing the program.
DHSS regulations would govern the actual administration of the program, including patient and primary caregiver registration, identifying debilitating medical conditions, and permitting alternative treatment centers. The proposed SBME regulations would govern physician participation in the program including defining a bona fide physician patient relationship and requiring certain record keeping. The SBME will accept written comments submitted before January 14.