Cannabis Bill Update

Cannabis Bill Update

Doug Bratton 

Executive Director

February 26, 2021

Partners in Prevention on Recent Cannabis Bills

This Tuesday, Governor Murphy signed three bills into law (A21, A1897, S3454) regarding Cannabis legalization in New Jersey. These laws are in response to the ballot measure voted on this past Fall by New Jersey residents, which amended our state’s Constitution in order to legalize cannabis. Additionally, the laws reduce law enforcement oversight/penalties for underage drinking offenses. The new state laws are subject to review and oversight by the Cannabis Regulatory Commission and have also already been challenged in court. This means that aspects of these laws, including their enforcement, will likely change over time.

While we are still reviewing the language and potential impact of these laws, PIP sees some alignment with our policy recommendations, but also cause for concern. In the area of alignment – our policy position supports monitored regulation of medicinal cannabis/cannabinoids and decriminalization of cannabis/marijuana to reduce penalties for possession for personal use (please see below for more details). Under “cause for concern” – the current laws are not in alignment with several of our policy recommendations, vital for the protection of youth and other vulnerable populations. For example, as written, law enforcement who encounter a minor under the influence of alcohol or cannabis (first offense) CANNOT contact a parent/guardian nor refer the minor to educational, counseling, or treatment services – effectively banning critical early intervention. Additionally, funding mandates are essential to support the increased need for substance misuse prevention and treatment efforts. The reduction in fines combined with the increase in access that come with these legal changes must be addressed. Much work is needed to remedy these problems. PIP will advocate for such changes to promote public health and reduce the impact of substance use disorders, which are central to our mission.

It is important that our community is also aware that the current state laws regarding cannabis use conflict with federal cannabis laws. This means that the current laws do not provide full protection under the law for personal cannabis use. PIP strongly advocates for our state and federal governments to work towards a resolution of this conflict.

Partners in Prevention adopted our policy recommendations on cannabis legalization based on the advice of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). The American Society of Addiction Medicine takes a scientific perspective regarding substance use related issues. Its recommendations are based not on special interest dollars or scare tactics, but on a review of scientific research and a thoughtful approach to public health.  It is a professional medical society representing over 6,000 physicians, clinicians and associated professionals in the field of addiction medicine and has been one of the most respected voices regarding substance use for over 60 years.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine made the following recommendations regarding cannabis/marijuana legalization:

1.   ASAM supports the use of cannabinoids and cannabis for medicinal purposes, but only when governed by appropriate safety and monitoring regulations (such as those established by the FDA research and post-marketing surveillance processes).

2.   ASAM supports the “decriminalization” of cannabis/marijuana in order to reduce penalties for possession for personal use to civil offenses, linked to mandated referral to clinical assessment, prevention/educational interventions, and treatment for substance use disorder when indicated.

3.   ASAM does NOT support the legalization of cannabis/marijuana, and recommends that jurisdictions that have not yet acted to legalize be cautious – more can be learned through data collection regarding impacts, positive and negative, in states that have already legalized.

4.   ASAM recommends that jurisdictions that have already legalized cannabis/marijuana, or those that may act to legalize in the future, implement a wide variety of public health and safety measures to minimize harm to vulnerable populations. These include, but are not limited to:

a.   Prohibition of sales to anyone younger than 25 years of age.

b.   Prohibit marketing/advertising to youth, akin to restrictions on tobacco advertising.

c.   Require all products made available be tested and clearly labeled for THC potency.

d.   Require warning labels, such as “Marijuana use increases the risk of serious problems with mental and physical health, including addition.”

e.   Highly regulate “edibles,” which pose a risk of overdose and poisoning to children and pets.

f.    Tax cannabis at a high rate and designate that these taxes be used for public education/awareness about addiction, prevention services, and treatment services.

g.   Limit cannabis/marijuana sales to state-operated outlets.

h.   Implement public awareness campaigns highlighting the known risks of cannabis/marijuana use to discourage vulnerable populations, including youth, individuals with mental illness, and those with a history of addiction.

As we learn more about the laws and what changes may be made to them, we will keep you informed. PIP will continue to advocate for laws and policies that both promote civil rights for all and promote public health, as these ideals are at the core of our organizational values and mission.

Cannabis Bill Update

Tobacco & Nicotine Virtual All Recovery Meetings

Institute for Prevention & Recovery

RWJBarnabas Health

Tobacco and Nicotine Virtual All Recovery Meetings

RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery

Nicotine is a powerful and highly addictive drug. On average, people relapse between seven and eleven times before they quit.

The Nicotine and Tobacco Recovery meetings are designed to help people stay quit and offer a resource for those who are starting or thinking about beginning their quit journey. Led by a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, each group will focus on topics and strategies for dealing with triggers and relapse prevention. Join us for free, regardless of where you are with your journey towards nicotine and tobacco recovery!

Zoom Meeting Schedule

All Recovery Meetings are accessible online or by phone.

Mondays

9am- 9:45am ET

https://zoom.us/j/98976887062

Meeting ID: 989 7688 7062

Password: smokefree (all lower case)

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,98976887062#

7pm-8pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/98597186060

Meeting ID: 985 9718 6060

Password: smokefree (all lower case)

One tap mobile: +13126266799,,98597186060#

Wednesdays

9am- 9:45am ET

https://zoom.us/j/98976887062

Meeting ID: 989 7688 7062

Password: smokefree (all lower case)

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,98976887062#

7pm-8pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/98597186060

Meeting ID: 985 9718 6060

Password: smokefree (all lower case)

One tap mobile: +13126266799,,98597186060#


Spanish-Speaking Recovery Groups

All Recovery Meetings are accessible online or by phone.

Mondays

12:00pm – 1pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/98029022698

Meeting ID: 980 2902 2698

Password: smokefree (all lower case)

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,98029022698#

Fridays

12:00pm – 1pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/98029022698

Meeting ID: 980 2902 2698

Password: smokefree (all lower case)

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,98029022698#


Nicotine & Tobacco Recovery Program Informational Sessions

The RWJBH Nicotine and Tobacco Recovery Program provides free 8- weeks of quit services to anyone struggling with nicotine and tobacco addiction. Join our free information session to learn more about the program and how to access those services. This session is open to patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, organizations, the general community. 

Tuesdays

12-12:30pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/93811036267

Meeting ID: 938 1103 6267

Password: smokefree (all lower case)

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,93811036267#


NJSOSVETS Stake Holder Groups Meeting

NJSOSVETS Stake Holder Groups Meeting

Colonel Dr. Lisa J. Hou, D.O.

Interim Adjutant General and Commissioner

New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Meet & Greet

Please join us for a meet and greet with Colonel Dr. Lisa J. Hou, D.O., Interim Adjutant General and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

The discussion will center on community concerns including NJ veteran suicide and safety at our State Veteran Homes. Dr. Hou will present her vision for military and veteran services through DMAVA.

Zoom Meeting Info

NJSOSVETS Stake Holder Groups Meeting

Dec 11, 2020 01:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83192999644?pwd=dHh3cGRsRlZOZ2JpUUxFMUFBQnp2QT09

Meeting ID: 831 9299 9644

Passcode: hpT6an

Virtual All Recovery Meetings

Virtual All Recovery Meetings

 Robert Wood Johnson

RWJBarnabas Health

Virtual All Recovery Meetings

RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery

In an effort to preserve the recovery communities we’ve built together and continue to provide a place of hope and safety during these challenging times, we have created a full calendar of virtual All Recovery meetings that you can join online or by phone. 

We are in this together and we will get through this as a community. Be healthy, stay safe and stay in touch. 

Zoom Meeting Schedule

All Recovery Meetings are accessible online or by phone.

Mondays

12pm-1pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/563540664

Meeting ID: 563 540 664

One tap mobile: +19292056099,, 563540664# US (New York) 

7pm-8pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/752228102

Meeting ID: 752 228 102

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,752228102#

Tuesdays

12pm-1pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/115612901

Meeting ID: 115 612 901

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,115612901#

6pm-7:30pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/708276700

Meeting ID: 708 276 700

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,708276700#

Wednesdays

12pm-1pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/804406743

Meeting ID: 804 406 743

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,804406743#

7:45pm-8:45pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/173540126

Meeting ID: 173 540 126

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,173540126#

Thursdays

3pm-4pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/770326034

Meeting ID: 770 326 034

One tap mobile: +19292056099,, 770326034#

6pm-7:30pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/498549489

Meeting ID: 498 549 489

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,498549489#

Fridays

12pm-1pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/722363460

Meeting ID: 722 363 460

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,722363460#

7:30pm-8:30pm ET

https://zoom.us/j/103816928

Meeting ID: 103 816 928

One tap mobile: +19292056099,,103816928# 


All Recovery Meetings are for everyone who supports recovery. They honor all pathways to recovery, acknowledging that each person’s path is unique and reflects their personal strengths. 

Meetings are facilitated by trained and certified IFPR Peer Recovery Specialists and provide social support for those seeking or maintaining recovery, as well as family members, friends and supporters of those who have been influenced by substance use. These meetings are non-denominational and offer an opportunity to focus on the hope found in recovery. 

Recovery does not happen alone. Join us and connect with others who are initiating and maintaining a recovery lifestyle.


Take Back Day 2018

Take Back Day 2018

Twice a year, the DEA holds a prescription Take Back Day dedicated to disposing of old, unwanted, or unused medications.  People across the nation participate in this unofficial holiday to help reduce the likelihood of someone misusing or abusing medications.  You can drop your medications at any of the locations below from 10am-2pm on Saturday, October 27th.  If you are unable to participate on Saturday, there are permanent drop boxes located throughout Hudson County that can be accessed at any time!

 

Pascrell Announces $450,000 in Drug-Free Community Grants

Pascrell Announces $450,000 in Drug-Free Community Grants

Aug 29, 2018

Press Release
Awards will help communities fight scourge of substance use among children

PATERSON, NJ – Today, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) celebrated the announcement by the Office of National Drug Control Policy that it was awarding four grants totaling $450,000 to coalitions in Secaucus, Tenafly, and Hudson County dedicated to keeping children away from harmful substances.

“Keeping our children off drugs and alcohol takes the work of family and community together. These coalitions are at the frontlines of the fight, and awards like Drug-Free Communities are vital to recognizing their work and giving them the resources to keep having a positive impact,” said Rep. Pascrell. “As every community in America continues to grapple with the terrible opioid epidemic, we need to work as one with every tool we can get our hands on. The continued support of the Drug-Free Communities Program is one of those tools, and it is making big difference for our children.”

“The Town of Secaucus is pleased to continue with the Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant,” said Dave Brattion, Program Coordinator of the Secaucus Coalition. “The Secaucus Coalition members are excited to continue to use the grant as a foundation for our work to reduce youth substance abuse in our community. We have made strides in raising awareness about alcohol and prescription drug abuse, and will continue those efforts as we face new and emerging substance abuse challenges such as youth vaping and marijuana abuse.”

“We are very excited to receive this grant. Through our longstanding relationship with the North Bergen Municipal Alliance/Prevention Coalition and with the help of this grant, we will be able to provide guidance to North Bergen as they continue to expand,” said Yaisa Coronado, Program Director for Hudson County Coalition and Associate Executive Director for Partners in Prevention. “The North Bergen Coalition will now be able to concentrate on efforts salient to their community. We truly appreciate the support from our public officials in securing this grant.”

A list of recipients of Drug-Free Community grants:

  • $125,000 to the town of Secaucus
  • $125,000 to the Lindsay Meyer Memorial Foundation in Secaucus
  • $125,000 to Tenafly Public Schools in Tenafly
  • $75,000 to the Hudson County Coalition for a Drug-Free Community

Administered through the annual Drug-Free Communities Support Program, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has awarded 731 grants and issued 156 new awards of $19.5M for Fiscal Year 2018. With community coalitions in all 50 states, this year’s grant awards are the highest in the program’s history – a $90.9M investment. Created by Congress in 1997, the Drug-Free Communities Support Program is the nation’s leading player in mobilizing communities and using grants to community coalitions to build and strengthen bonds between local partners to prevent youth substance use.

Recognizing that local problems need local solutions, DFC-funded coalitions engage multiple sectors of the community and employ a variety of strategies to address local drug problems. Coalitions are comprised of community leaders, parents, youth, teachers, religious and fraternal organizations, healthcare and business professionals, law enforcement, and media. By involving the community in a solution-oriented approach, Drug-Free Community also helps those youth at risk for substance use recognize that the majority of America’s youth choose not to use drugs.

Rep. Pascrell has worked closely with the Office of National Drug Control Policy to bring increased resources to cities and community organizations fighting drug use. In October 2014, he helped win $1.25M for the Rutherford Community Prevention Coalition.