Peter Rosenfeld is a member of the CMMNJ Board of Directors and potential medical marijuana patient. He was among those who spoke to the media at The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey (CMMNJ) press conference in Trenton on 6/4/2010. Advocates made an appeal for the Christie administration to implement the medical marijuana law with no delay.
Rosenfeld has conducted comprehensive research on the proper start-up of the cannabis program from the perspective of local patients.
Board members at CMMNJ and NORML-NJ, some of whom were instrumental resources to the legislative phase of the medical marijuana law, have been left out of any contact during the current implementation phase. There have been hints that DHSS seeks to develop the initial regulations using only their in-house staff and advisors.
Advocates like Rosenfeld have reached out to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services since January with no response, until now.
The following reply to Rosenfeld makes it clear that the closed-door attitude is indeed the current policy and practice at NJ DHSS.
From: Medical.Marijuana@doh.state.nj.us
At this time, the Department is not reviewing proposals or receiving documents, nor is the Department meeting with potential vendors, advocacy groups, lobbyists or other interested parties to present business plans, strategies or offers of assistance. Given the large numbers and diverse recommendations, we believe this is the best way to assure an objective, science based strategy.
As you are aware, medical marijuana is not available in the state of New Jersey. The Department must first establish a process to register qualified patients, caregivers and alternate treatment centers. This includes the continuation of coordinated implementation strategies amongst all state agencies to ensure all issues are addressed adequately. Full implementation of the New Jersey Compassionate Use of Marijuana Act awaits completion of this mandated process, which will assure the intent of the Act is accessible to those patients with designated medical conditions, while ensuring that it is implemented in a safe and effective manner.
For additional information regarding this topic, please visit our website at New Jersey (NJ) Department of Health and Senior Services - Home Page for the most current information about the implementation of the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, including frequently asked questions.
DHSS and Governor Christie have requested a 6 to 12 month delay in implementing the medical marijuana law. Advocates stressed that the carefully crafted language of the law, as passed, is required to bring a state-regulated cannabis program to qualified patients this year.
Ken Wolski, a Registered Nurse and the Executive Director of CMMNJ responded to the DHSS email today:
"The science of medical marijuana has been determined by the legislature. Now we are in the realm of regulatory technology. The DHSS is not acting in good faith. It refuses help from interested parties and then says it is so far behind that it requires a year's delay."
Advocates are planning a press conference in Jersey City on Thursday June 17 at 12:30PM. Additional medical marijuana awareness events are in the works around the Garden State.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Examiner.com
Author: Chris Goldstein
Contact: Examiner.com
Copyright: 2010 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Website: NJ: State regulators keeping medical marijuana in-house
* Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
Rosenfeld has conducted comprehensive research on the proper start-up of the cannabis program from the perspective of local patients.
Board members at CMMNJ and NORML-NJ, some of whom were instrumental resources to the legislative phase of the medical marijuana law, have been left out of any contact during the current implementation phase. There have been hints that DHSS seeks to develop the initial regulations using only their in-house staff and advisors.
Advocates like Rosenfeld have reached out to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services since January with no response, until now.
The following reply to Rosenfeld makes it clear that the closed-door attitude is indeed the current policy and practice at NJ DHSS.
From: Medical.Marijuana@doh.state.nj.us
At this time, the Department is not reviewing proposals or receiving documents, nor is the Department meeting with potential vendors, advocacy groups, lobbyists or other interested parties to present business plans, strategies or offers of assistance. Given the large numbers and diverse recommendations, we believe this is the best way to assure an objective, science based strategy.
As you are aware, medical marijuana is not available in the state of New Jersey. The Department must first establish a process to register qualified patients, caregivers and alternate treatment centers. This includes the continuation of coordinated implementation strategies amongst all state agencies to ensure all issues are addressed adequately. Full implementation of the New Jersey Compassionate Use of Marijuana Act awaits completion of this mandated process, which will assure the intent of the Act is accessible to those patients with designated medical conditions, while ensuring that it is implemented in a safe and effective manner.
For additional information regarding this topic, please visit our website at New Jersey (NJ) Department of Health and Senior Services - Home Page for the most current information about the implementation of the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act, including frequently asked questions.
DHSS and Governor Christie have requested a 6 to 12 month delay in implementing the medical marijuana law. Advocates stressed that the carefully crafted language of the law, as passed, is required to bring a state-regulated cannabis program to qualified patients this year.
Ken Wolski, a Registered Nurse and the Executive Director of CMMNJ responded to the DHSS email today:
"The science of medical marijuana has been determined by the legislature. Now we are in the realm of regulatory technology. The DHSS is not acting in good faith. It refuses help from interested parties and then says it is so far behind that it requires a year's delay."
Advocates are planning a press conference in Jersey City on Thursday June 17 at 12:30PM. Additional medical marijuana awareness events are in the works around the Garden State.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Examiner.com
Author: Chris Goldstein
Contact: Examiner.com
Copyright: 2010 Clarity Digital Group LLC d/b/a Examiner.com
Website: NJ: State regulators keeping medical marijuana in-house
* Thanks to MedicalNeed for submitting this article
