CMMNJ Monthly Meeting Agenda for May 9, 2023

Ken Wolski
May 3rd, 2023
No Comments

CMMNJ Monthly Public Meeting Agenda for May 9, 2023 at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 874 6229 5561 Passcode: 470615 Or, click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87462295561?pwd=clhaODYxTEhjM0R2YzlKWXhyc1JHdz09

Agenda:

Multiple celebrations and events around 4/20/2023, the “Stoner Holiday.”

Trenton, NJ Statehouse “Home Grow Rally” with Sativa Cross, CMMNJ, and a podcast.
2nd Annual NJ Cannapreneur Conference, FDU Campus, Hackensack, NJ, 4/21: where industry leaders shared their expertise, insights and lessons learned.
Cannademix Unity II event, American Dream, E. Rutherford, 4/19-21: to provide accurate information on cannabis from established professionals.
Lobby Days at The Capitol, Washington, DC, 4/18-20, 2023, with M4MM, Marijuana Policy Project, CannaCoverage, and others.
National Cannabis Festival, Washington, DC, 4/22, Nichelle Santos addressed: “Impact of Healthcare Inequities in Black Communities with Medical Cannabis.”

NJ Cannabis Insider Awards show is set for June 8 in Carteret to recognize achievements in the cannabis industry. CMMNJ, and organizations affiliated with CMMNJ Board members (F.E.M. and CannaCoverage), vie for awards. Vote today!

Senator Scutari said homegrow is coming soon for certain qualifying conditions.

Eagleton Institute for the NJ State Policy Lab survey: 78% of residents say the medicinal benefits of cannabis outweigh the risks and harms: 58% said the same about adult use. 55% smoked weed at least once. 63% supported adults growing small amounts of marijuana.

NJ Cannabis Certified, a workforce development program at Mercer County Community College, Atlantic Cape CC, Union College, Passaic County CC and Raritan Valley CC – covers cannabis law, cultivation basics, manufactured products, testing, and what you need to know to work in a dispensary. Scholarships are available for financial need. Apply here.

New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) provides no-cost Technical Assistance, Mentorship, and Training to Cannabis Business License Applicants.

Federal Drug Policy Reform:

Victory in DE! Delaware’s marijuana legalization bills, HB 1 & HB 2, passed into law!

Republicans in the U.S. Senate voted to block “Veterans Affairs Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2023” (S. 326) that would have had the VA conduct research into cannabis as a treatment for chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Consumers of higher potency cannabis flowers are not at an elevated risk of experiencing psychosis-like symptoms, according to data published in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC):

Meetings: June 1, and July 18, both at 1 pm. Register to speak here. You may submit comments in writing to the Commission here.

CRC Commissioner Barker said, “Lawmakers should act to legalize homegrow, especially for patients, so that they can access safe and affordable medicine of their choice.”

Stockton U. Poll Finds Customers Give High Marks to N.J.’s legal weed dispensaries with 86% being satisfied or very satisfied with the experience. The main reasons for satisfaction: 43% appreciated knowing the products were safe, and 23% liked the quality.

The CRC denied Curaleaf a renewal of licenses to grow and sell recreational marijuana at most of its Garden State locations. CRC cited the closure of one of its growing facilities and laying off 40 workers. Curaleaf workers rallied in opposition to the CRC vote. The CRC then reversed the decision and renewed Curaleaf’s license.

MPX NJ, a medical marijuana dispensary in Atlantic City, will transition to adult-use as well.

Design 710, the first women-owned medical marijuana dispensary opened in Atlantic City.

License awardees: https://www.nj.gov/cannabis/businesses/recreational/license-awardees/

CMMNJ’s 2023 medical cannabis goals:

insurance coverage;
home cultivation rights;
hospital & institutional access; and
expanded qualifying conditions.

Medical Cannabis Insurance bills:

S313/A3248: Costs of medical cannabis to be reimbursed by Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund, PAAD, Senior Gold and VCCO.
S309/A3511: Requires workers’ compensation, PIP, and health insurance coverage.
S782/A3932: Subsidize medical cannabis in Medicaid or NJ Family Care.

Home cultivation bills: Web site: https://www.letpatientsgrownj.com/

S342/A997: Authorizes home cultivation of medical cannabis.
A1422: Legalizes possession of six marijuana plants for personal use.
S353/A3657: Legalizes six plants for personal use and 10 plants for medical

Hospital and Institutional Access:

NJ patients in hospitals, nursing homes, state institutions, group homes and hospice are unable to access medical cannabis. Implement the Jake Honig law’s Institutional Caregivers to accomplish this!

Expanded qualifying conditions:

Qualifying for cannabis therapy should be allowed for any condition that a healthcare professional with prescription privileges determines is in the best interest of the patient.