Senator Leach issued this statement on Wednesday April 27th: “I’m happy to have re-introduced Senate Bill 1003 and am hopeful it will be brought up for consideration by the Legislature. It is a common-sense bill that would simply give sick people access to medication so they feel better. Countless studies show marijuana can alleviate the side effects of many diseases. It’s time we give Pennsylvanians access to the treatment they need and deserve.”
SB 1003 would legalize the use of cannabis for residents with serious medical conditions such as cancer, Multiple Sclerosis and HIV/AIDS. The bill includes provisions for a system of Compassion Centers, ID cards for patients, home cultivation and sales tax.
Senators Larry Farnese, James Ferlo and Wayne Fontana are the initial co-sponsors. The bill has been referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. READ SB 1003
PA residents may contact their legislators via www.pa4mmj.org
Jahan Marcu is currently investigating the pharmacology of cannabinoid receptors. He was working at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute when exciting discoveries were made showing enhanced anti-cancer effects with THC and CBD from the Cannabis plant. The findings were published in the Journal of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. In 2009 he received the Billy Martin Award from the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS). Jahan is currently the vice-chair the Medical and Scientific Advisory Board at Americans for Safe Access (ASA). He enjoys nuclear magnetic resonance and The Original Ghostbusters.
Birdwatcher and troublemaker Robin Brown of Hollywood, Florida, was arrested after Broward County Sheriffs found her in possession…of sage, which they suspected was marijuana. And get this: the field kit that the police used tested positive for narcotics. Now she is suing over the wrongful arrest.
12/8/2011 – It seems that student government is ahead of the state legislature in New Jersey. Seventy-five percent of Rowan University student senators voted to support a state bill to reduce penalties for adults possessing cannabis.
The bill to decriminalize possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana, A4252, was introduced in Trenton this summer. A4252 came out strong with eighteen bi-partisan co-sponsors in the Assembly, but a companion bill has not been introduced in the state Senate.
A4252 would make possession an “infraction” instead of a “misdemeanor” and create a tiered set of fines for those over the age of 21 ranging from $150-$500. Those under 21 would also need to attend an education class.
The Rowan University Student Government is the first in the state to formally support the bill. The final vote among the student senators was 70 in favor, 20 against and 2 abstentions
New York State decriminalized marijuana possession in 1979 and Connecticut passed a decrim law earlier this year. There are 14 states that have reduced penalties for adults possesing cannabis. NORML Decrim map
The Rowan senators can count on public support as well. A Rutgers-Eagleton poll on November 30, 2011 found that 58% of New Jersey residents favor decriminalizing marijuana for adults.
Rowan student senator Phillip Simmons, who is also president of the campus chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), said, “I am happy that the Rowan Senate voted in favor of this bill because it means that the student body recognizes the unfair, unjust, and crippling effects of the current law.”
Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? [email protected]
May 2, 2011
Statement from Governor Lincoln D. Chafee Regarding Compassion Centers
The United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island delivered a letter to me on Friday afternoon which was copied to the Director of the Department of Health and the three Compassion Center applicants. That letter, as well as similar letters sent to officials in other states, clarified the Department of Justice’s position on medical marijuana. The Department of Justice previously indicated that it would not focus its limited resources on doctors and their sick patients who prescribe and use marijuana if such use was permitted by state law. This position was interpreted by some states as giving them latitude to authorize medical marijuana cultivation and distribution programs. Friday’s letter makes it clear that DOJ will now pursue certain commercial cultivation and distribution of medical marijuana, even if such cultivation and distribution is permitted by state law. Compassion centers, their owners, landlords, financiers and other operations “facilitators” are identified as potential targets of federal law enforcement activities.
None of Rhode Island’s compassion center applicants have received a certificate of registration to date. In light of the United States Attorney’s articulated position on closing compassion centers, seizing proceeds and prosecuting business enterprises that market and sell medical marijuana, I have placed a hold on the State’s medical marijuana certificate of registration program. During this hiatus, I will be consulting with the governors of other states with similar medical marijuana programs, with federal officials and with the compassion center applicants themselves.
Several governors have recently alluded to a planned meeting on the medical marijuana issue. The National Governors Association is the official body of these elected officials. NGA is currently led by Governor Christine Gregoire of Washington. DOJ also sent a letter to Gregoire, that action prompted her to veto parts of a new law that would have regulated medical cannabis dispensaries.
In 2006 an excellent review on cannabis and cannabinoid clinical trials was published by Ben Amar. However, there have been at least 37 new clinical trials evaluating medical applications of cannabis and cannabinoids since 2005. The new review of clinical trials was published by Dr. Arno Hazekamp and Dr.Franjo Grotenhermen.
Abstract
To date, a large number of controlled clinical trials have been done evaluating the therapeutic applications of cannabis and cannabis-based preparations. In 2006, an excellent review was published, discussing the clinical trials performed in the period 1975 to June 2005 [Ben Amar 2006].
The current review reports on the more recent clinical data available. A systematic search was performed in the scientific database of PubMed, focused on clinical studies that were randomized, (double) blinded, and placebo-controlled. The period screened was from July 1, 2005 up to August 1, 2009.
The key words used were: cannabis, marijuana, marihuana, hashish, cannabinoid(s), tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, CBD, dronabinol, Marinol, nabilone, Cannador and Sativex. For the final selection, only properly controlled clinical trials were retained. Open-label studies were excluded, except if they were a direct continuation of a study discussed here.
Thirty-seven controlled studies evaluating the therapeutic effects of cannabinoids were identified. For each clinical trial, the country where the project was held, the number of patients assessed, the type of study and comparisons done, the products and the dosages used, their efficacy and their adverse effects are described. Based on the clinical results, cannabinoids present an interesting therapeutic potential mainly as analgesics in chronic neuropathic pain, appetite stimulants in debilitating diseases (cancer and AIDS), as well as in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.
This article can be downloaded, printed and distributed freely for any non-commercial purposes, provided the original work is properlycited (see copyright info below). Available online at www.cannabis-med.org
Author’s address: Arno Hazekamp, [email protected]
5/17/2011 – Representative Evalyn Merrick of New Hampshire is keeping up the fight for medical marijuana. She is a cancer survivor who is sponsoring the compassionate use bill. Backed by a strong grassroots network and many of her peers in the NH General Court, they have seen the effort get close to victory. But a major hurdle was thrown up last week.
Under threat of veto by Governor John Lynch, the Senate stopped the bill from going out to a floor vote. The legislation had already passed the House; the Senate vote would have sent the bill to the governor’s desk. Two years ago a similar bill cleared committees and floor votes in both houses with bi-partisan support, only to be vetoed by Lynch.
“I was hoping with all hope that it would pass,” said Merrick in a phone call to Freedomisgreen on Friday.
But her reaction was that of a pragmatic and seasoned legislator, “I knew that they were against the bill passing the Senate,” said Merrick. “Especially since the Governor discussed the bill with the majority caucus. In light of that knowledge a tabling vote was probably the best thing, because the bill isn’t dead and will come back in the session next year. “
However, the reaction from local activists was more biting. They feel that Senators should not have kowtowed to Lynch.
Sarah Levesque is a vocal advocate in New Hampshire who attended the Senate session on May 11, 2011. She emailed this report and her reaction:
HB 442 was voted on in the House and passed with an overwhelming majority and was introduced to the senate on March 23, 2011. The Senate Health and Human Services committee held their public hearing on April 14th; it was well attended, with standing room only. There was again, extensive testimony in support of the bill. Veterans, doctors, legislators, patients, all gave honest first hand testimony of the benefits of medicinal cannabis, while the Attorney General’s office portrayed the bill using presumptions and gross over exaggerations.
The Senate was then set to vote on HB 442. Sponsors, advocates, supporters and patients took the time to come to watch the proceedings on May 10th to show their support. Clayton Holton, a Muscular Dystrophy patient, took the time and energy to travel from Somersworth to attend the proceedings.
Clayton previously testified that he weighed 79 pounds at six feet tall prior to using cannabis. He explained that within two months he had gained eight pounds. He credits his life to cannabis.
Clayton is confined to a wheelchair and was denied access to the voting session. The Gallery to view the Senate Chambers is accessible only by stairs. The Senate Chambers themselves would have been accessible, but he was not allowed the exception.
Just before the bill was introduced, a recess was called. The Republican Senators congregated in one area, while the Democrats in another.
The Senate reconvened, and the bill was introduced. Sen. Molly Kelly spoke in favor of the bill. Senator Raymond White stood and spoke about Clayton and urged support.
Levesque continued:
A motion to table the bill was introduced and the Senate jumped on it. They displayed an appalling level of cowardice by avoiding and ignoring the patients affected by this bill. To not have the decency to face this man while determining his fate is despicable.
Rep. Merrick was still hopeful that they might be able to reach some compromise on the bill’s language that would move Gov. Lynch to support it.
“As disappointed as it was, I know that we’ve brought in so many different stakeholders in this process in order to have something that the Governor will sign. I’ve been working on this bill for 6 years I think that’s why it has become a model for other states. And we can make it better. I’m not giving up on this.”
Then she added, “Who knows, maybe the federal government will figure this out too?”
I could not resist asking a follow-up to that final point.
So do you think it would be a good idea for state elected officials like yourself to travel to Washington DC in order to ask Congress to re-schedule marijuana at the federal level?
Merrick responded quickly, “Absolutely, without any hesitation of doubt. It has been proven with all of the science. We need the federal government to change the schedule [of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act] in order for people, to have access safely … and for the right reasons.”
So, as advocates stride to clear this new obstacle for medical marijuana in New Hampshire they may also have some positive influence on the national debate. State legislators like Merrick, the well-educated champions for local patients, could have a significant impact in DC.
Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. He volunteers with local groups to change prohibition laws including PhillyNORML and The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey.
On March 17th at high noon things with get a little greener in Manhattan: Empire State NORML will remind New Yorkers that marijuana is a safer alternative to alcohol for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. A rally and a press conference are planned for City Hall Park.
“While scores of New Yorkers are out getting hammered, we want to remind the Big Apple that there is a safer, greener and cleaner choice for adults: marijuana.”
The State of New York decriminalized minor marijuana possession in 1979. But the city has since enacted municipal codes that spur all of the arrests. For instance, Marijuana in Public View is a criminal misdemeanor.
“New York City made over 50,000 marijuana possession arrests last year alone, and over 500,000 since 1996,” Greene said today. “Why are we wasting all of this money and why is the Bloomberg Administration continuing to push New Yorkers to drink?”
According to Greene the NYPD is now handling nearly 1,000 arrests a week just for pot or 15% of all arrests in New York City. This is no small matter, with 2.7% of the U.S. population; New York City alone now represents a striking 6% of all the marijuana arrests in the country.
Press conference speakers include:
· Dr. Julie Holland is a psychiatrist specializing in psychopharmacology, with a private practice in New York City established in 1996. She is the editor of The Pot Book: A Complete Guide to Cannabis, and Ecstasy: The Complete Guide. Holland is the author of Weekends at Bellevue: Nine Years on the Nightshift of the Psych ER. She has frequent appearances in news media as an expert guest on drug issues.
· Dr. Harry Levine: is a professor of sociology at Queens College, City University of New York. He has won awards for his writing about the history of addiction, about alcohol prohibition and regulation, and about crack cocaine and the war on drugs. His current research examines the epidemic of racially-biased marijuana arrests in the U.S and why, since 1997, New York City has arrested more people for possessing small amounts of marijuana than any city in the history of the world.
· Tony Newman, Director of Media Relations for the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), the nation’s leading organization calling for alternatives to the drug war and policies based on science, compassion, health, and human rights.
· Daniel Jabbour: New York State Coordinator for Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), an international grassroots network of students who are concerned about the impact drug abuse has on our communities.
· Chris Goldstein: Chris worked on behalf of PhillyNORML with city officials in Philadelphia to urge for a change in procedures. A new marijuana diversion court was employed in 2010. Goldstein is also on the Board of Directors at NORML-NJ and The Coalition for Medical Marijuana-NJ (CMM-NJ). He recently launched www.freedomisgreen.com to cover East Coast cannabis reform.
PRESS CONFERENCE: Marijuana is Safer than Beer for St. Pat’s Empire State NORML New York State Chapter – The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws WHEN: St. Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 17th, 2011 at high noon WHERE: City Hall Park – Broadway between Park Place and Barclay (east side) WHO: Empire State NORML, national marijuana policy experts WHAT: Press Conference CONTACT: Douglass Greene (516) 242-4666 doug{ at }empirestatenorml.com
Marcher holding a volunteer-crafted sign at PhillyNORML
11/26/12 by Chris Goldstein – Pennsylvania maintains a crime reporting database that is almost unique in the United States for the excellent level of “sunshine.” At PhillyNORML we’ve been analyzing the marijuana arrest data for many years. Unlike other states – we can access detailed information about the marijuana arrests in every county or even down to individual precincts in a city.
First, the hard numbers for 2011, the most recent year that full data is available.
PA 2011 Marijuana Sale/Manufacture Arrests TOTAL = 3,475
2011 Total marijuana arrests in Pennsylvania = 26,132
There was some interesting trending by age: 18-21 year-olds were most-arrested; accounting for almost half of all adult possession arrests. Overall 18-34 year-olds accounted for more than 85% of arrests in PA demonstrating that enforcement of marijuana prohibition falls largely on the shoulders of younger residents.
Although women self-report marijuana smoking at rates somewhat less than men, gender was a major factor in the arrest data. Men comprised almost 90% of marijuana possession arrests in PA. White women were the least arrested category in all ages and regions of Pennsylvania.
Philly Cops Love Weed (arrests)
Philadelphia has the largest concentration of pot arrests each year with some notable trends that break with the rest of the state.
First the numbers:
Philadelphia:
Code 18F Drug Possession Marijuana Total Adults = 4,226
Total Juveniles = 605
PHILLY – 2011 Marijuana possession arrests TOTAL = 4,831
Code 18B Drug Sale/Manufacture Marijuana Total Adults = 2,177
Total Juveniles = 187
PA 2011 Marijuana Sale/Manufacture Arrests TOTAL = 2,364
2011 Total marijuana arrests in Philadelphia = 6,895
Philadelphia created the Small Amount of Marijuana (SAM) program in 2010 so that about 85% of these arrests are now diverted out of criminal court. Still, Philadelphia is the only county or municipality in PA that requires a mandatory custodial arrest for any amount of pot. That means police in Philly must put marijuana offenders in handcuffs for a joint – but other PA police can write a Summary Violation to avoid the physical arrest.
The ethnic/racial disparity to Philadelphia marijuana arrests is the most noticeable trend. Of the 4,226 adult possession arrests 698 were white, 393 Hispanic and 3,495 black.
All available data shows that white and black people smoke marijuana at nearly equal rates.
The next largest area in Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Metro Area , saw 3,059 adult marijuana possession arrests in 2011: 1,897 white and 1,148 black.
It is unclear as to why Philadelphia maintains a uniquely harsh policy for marijuana. The custodial arrest practice for even a joint may be costing the city more than $3 million per year out of the Public Safety budget.
The Pennsylvania General Assembly could take the pragmatic step of simply decriminalizing adult cannabis possession. This would get rid of the harsh and racially disparate enforcement in Philadelphia and save tens of millions of tax dollars across the Commonwealth.
Voters in Washington and Colorado authorized legalizing and regulating recreational marijuana, making the continued arrest of large numbers of East Coast cannabis consumers even more senseless.
Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? [email protected]
NJ medical marijuana patient ID card freedomisgreen exclusive via John Lassiter
10/23/2012 by Chris Goldstein – NJ Medicinal Marijuana Program (MMP) Director John O’Brien responded to questions from freedomisgreen.com and clarified some details about access. Last week the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) announced that Greenleaf Compassion Center in Montclair is now the only Alternative Treatment Center fully permitted to dispense cannabis in the Garden State. Registered patients also started to receive ID cards (see photo).
Medicinal Marijuana Program Questions
1-[FiG] – How do registered patients and caregivers obtain their ID cards? [re:physical cards]
[O’Brien] – DOH originally engaged the Alternative Treatment Centers with the prospect of being the centralized distribution point for ID card delivery. At that time, the ATCs showed interest in being distributors. However during a recent progress meeting, Greenleaf representatives expressed concerns regarding security at their Montclair dispensary related to ID card distribution. The department developed an alternative approach using the mail. The identification cards are being mailed to the patient and caregiver residences through the mail. All caregivers and patients who had previously registered will have their cards dated effective Oct. 15—the date Greenleaf was issued its permit. The identification cards are good for two years.
2- [FiG] -How many patients and caregivers have completed the registration process to receive an ID card?
[O’Brien] -As of close of business on Friday 10/19/12, there are 223 approved patients, 49 patients under review (the review process involves the validation of a patients submitted documents, proof of residency, photo ID, picture and government assistance if applicable) and 82 patients with physician authorization but have not initiated their registration. The number of potential patients is 354. There are 16 approved caregivers and 23 caregivers under review for a total of 39 potential caregivers. Our customer service unit has contacted and is working with each applicant to ensure a timely and successful registration process.
3- [FiG] – Has DOH check[ed] through the list of registered physicians to confirm their participation in the MMP?
[O’Brien] – DOH conducts a routine confirmation of registered physician status with the BME for license in good standing and a valid CDS registration. To date there are 176 physicians registered with the program. 37 have requested to be inactivated. 72 physicians are actively authoring Attending Physician Statement for their patients.
4- [FiG] -Has DOH, MMP or the NJ Board of Medical Examiners sent instructions, information or offered presentations on how to utilize cannabis therapy and/or participate in the MMP? [specifically to physicians]
[O’Brien] -The MMP has been in contact with registered physicians and patients via email and phone providing guidance on MMP procedures. The MMP also provides information on our web site. The MMP has engaged the Drug Policy Alliance in the development of a resource library of scholarly articles geared toward providing physicians and patient’s information on the use of medical marijuana. The MMP has also partnered with the Medical Society of New Jersey in preparing and hosting a webinar to educate the states physician population on issues related to the MMP. Both of these initiatives are in process.
The Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act of New Jersey was signed into law in January 2010. The Medicinal Marijuana Program was created under DOH in 2011 and John H. O’Brien was hired as Director. Some have been put off by his previous job; 26 years with the NJ State Police. But O’Brien has shown earnest commitment to getting the very limited NJ program running for patients.
The fact that O’Brien responded directly to questions via email, rather than NJDOH communication staff, does indicate a more open dialogue between the MMP and the public.
Chris Goldstein is a respected marijuana reform advocate. As a writer and radio broadcaster he has been covering cannabis news for over a decade. Questions? [email protected]
by Steve Fox, Paul Armentano and Mason Tvert.
