Overview
“[E]liminating criminal penalties for personal drug use and possession is an essential feature of a public health response to drugs and drug misuse, and APHA calls on state and federal governments to remove such criminal penalties... [J]urisdictions that have legalized medical marijuana, decriminalized possession of marijuana and/or other drugs, or tolerated limited, retail sales...have not experienced significant, if any, increases in marijuana or other drug use.” American Public Health Association - Oldest and Most Diverse Organization of Public Health Professionals in the World APHA Policy Statement 201312
Medical cannabis is now widely accepted as a proven treatment for pain management, and adult recreational use legalization is trending across the country. The strides made to support legitimate uses of cannabis are evident daily, but the prohibitions of the past still linger. New Jersey is among many progressive states to develop a cannabis patient program, known as the Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act (CUMCA). CUMCA has strengthened some patient protections, especially in the area of employment law.
Despite these advances, cannabis users continue to face discrimination in employment, parental rights, housing, and economic or educational opportunity. These social justice issues have a disproportionate effect on communities of color and marginalized populations.
The Stein Public Interest Center is marshaling its experience and energy to mitigate the damage of prior policies and perceptions, and is working to establish fair, ethical practices and processes in this area. Through litigation, appellate advocacy, and partnerships with coalitions, we aim to avoid unnecessary incarcerations, remove the stigma and deficits of prior convictions, ensure patients have clean and affordable cannabis medicine in the forms and strengths they need, and advocate for fairness in licensing for all aspects of both the medical and adult-use markets.
We also support nonprofit-led education for lawyers and healthcare professionals about the crucial intersection of cannabis medicine and policy.