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Reefer Madness

A detailed timeline showcasing the efforts and responses of the Medical Society to the legalization of marijuana, highlighting concerns and policy reviews.

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Reefer Madness

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  1. Reefer Madness A State Medical Society Response Thomas J. Madejski M.D. Past President MSSNY John Poole M.D. Past President MSNJ

  2. Marijuana Timeline • Early in 2018, Governor Cuomo commits to having state agencies begin a review and study of legalization of recreational marijuana. • July 2018: The Assessment of the Potential Impact of Regulated Marijuana is released to the public. MSSNY meets with NYS DOH on expansion of Medical Marijuana indications and Governor’s task force on recreational proposal • Late August/September 2018:  Governor’s staff conducts statewide community meetings and gathers input on legalization of marijuana. • MSSNY Office of the President reviews policy. Call with County Medical Society Presidents: Request for MSSNY Officers and County Officers to speak at upcoming State Listening Sessions.

  3. MSSNY officers and physicians submit comments at regional forums around the state supporting decriminalization but opposing legalization. MSSNY begins partnering with the NYS Association of County Health Officials. Dr. Joe Sellers First up, lone voice in the woods Many other MSSNY officers, and County Officers testified about MSSNY policy and concerns with Governor’s proposal

  4. October through November 2018 Dr. Madejski requests that MSSNY committees on Addiction and Psychiatric Medicine, the Bioethics and the Health Disparities begin review of this matter. • November 2018 – Erie County Medical Society, Tom Madejski M.D., Willie Underwood M.D. meet with Buffalo News Editorial Board: • Still having discussions about best strategy for public health balanced with political realities • Buffalo News op-ed on legalized marijuana urging a “go-slow” approach including quoting MSSNY concerns • Dr. Madejski and MSSNY Staff meet with Governor’s Counsel in December 5, 2018 to discuss legalization and are told it most likely will happen and request information from MSSNY on a “legalization” program.

  5. MSSNY committees complete review of policy and Governor’s Proposal • December 13, 2018 MSSNY Offers white paper on legalization of Marijuana and Medicinal Marijuana. • January 2019 Governor Proposes in State of State/Budget Address legislation to form an Office of Cannabis which will oversee aspects of the recreational marijuana and medicinal program. • February-March 2019 MSSNY makes it a priority to ask NYS Legislature to remove legislation from the budget; indicates that 6 week is too short of time to make a decision that will have public health implications.   Ask Legislature to review data coming in from states that have already legalized marijuana. • MSSNY March Legislative Day emphasizes recreational marijuana.

  6. February-March 2019 – Several County Executives indicate their counties will “opt-out” of legalized marijuana sales. • March 12, 2019 Medical Society of NJ releases statement in opposition to legalization in NJ. Support from editorial board Atlantic City Press. • Concerns regarding activity in other States: Reach out to Dr. Poole, and Larry Downs in NJ, Dr. Gruss and Matt Katz in CT. Agree to joint messaging. Dr. Poole also recruited  Dr. Andrew Dahlke and Medical Society of Delaware.   • March 22, 2019: Press Release: Four State Medical Society Heads Say No to Recreational Marijuana • March 25, 2019 – New Jersey rejects marijuana legalization legislation, which stops the perception that such legalization is “inevitable” • Numerous press conferences held; interviews with papers and op-ed pieces appear in statewide media.  MSSNY partners with the NYS Association of County Health Officials, NYS PTA, NYS Sherriff’s Association and SAM (Smart Alternatives to Marijuana)

  7. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 12, 2019 Statement from John Poole, MD – President, Medical Society of New Jersey (MSNJ): “Creating an entire new industry to sell an intoxicating product to adult users is antithetical to improving the health status of our citizenry. Adult use products, such as alcohol and tobacco, are enticing to adolescents and young adults. Legal marijuana will be no different.  Despite protections found in law, industries exist to sell as much of their products as possible, and to every possible consumer. "

  8. MSSNY partners with 4 state medical societies to bring the same message nationally and regionally. • Further engagement and communication with other states: New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Vermont • April 1. 2019: New York State Budget Adopted without Legalization in it.

  9. April 2019 MSSNY House of Delegates reaffirms policy on moving marijuana to Schedule II and requests that the AMA reaffirm opposition to recreational marijuana legalization and compile and update data on emerging science and the effects of recreational legalization thus far. • May 2019 – MSSNY works with AMA to convey opposition to New York legislative leaders • Thanks to Dr. Barbara McAneny and Dr. Jack Resnick for their guidance and assistance • Thanks to Dr. Madara, Daniel Blaney-Koen for their assistance

  10. MSSNY officers and staff continue to oppose move to incorporate legalization of marijuana before the end of the Legislative Session on June 20th.  • Legalization Advocates and Addiction Industry still pushing hard and modified proposals are being considered. • Move to greatly expand the medical component of marijuana is also in play.

  11. Thanks to our excellent MSSNY Staff, especially • Moe Auster Esq. VP Governmental Affairs • Pat Clancy, VP Public Health • Christina Southard, VP Communications • Thanks to our partners and staff in other states in the Northeast Regional coalition

  12. NJ Observations • New Jersey legalization was on a fast track • Campaign promise of Phil Murphy • Only two health organizations willing to go public with opposition – MSNJ and NJ Psychiatry  • Hospitals, Specialty Societies, Insurers, Healthcare Quality orgs? – "crickets" • NJ moving to "backdoor legalization" through massive expansion of the medical program.

  13. Links and resources Four State Medical Society Presidents: No, No, No, No to Recreational Marijuana https://onedrive.live.com/edit.aspx?resid=F7E5BE84834D27A5!584&ithint=file%2cdocx Morano Whenever#29- Marijuana legalization Frank Morano discusses the debate over legalizing marijuana with former drug smuggler and author Richard Stratton and Dr. Thomas Madejski, the President of the Medical Society of the State of New York.  May 31 https://omny.fm/shows/morano-whenever/playlists/podcast/embed?style=artwork

  14. Thoughts and questions: Important public health issue provided an opportunity for engagement of our members at the State level and improved our dialogue and relationship with County and Specialty societies. Engagement with obvious and not so obvious allies: County Health Officers, Sheriffs Association, Parents-Teachers association Unable to engage MADD, SADD Good support from AMA. AMA sensitive to possibility of not all states on the same page. Should neighboring states compare notes on a periodic basis?

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