Tag: new jersey
We should empower an industry that helps people with addiction
Written by Eitan Scher, chapter leader of Rutgers University SSDP. The following is a response to a December 4th editorial by former Member of Congress Patrick Kennedy titled “Legalize Weed? We should not empower an industry that profits from addiction”. Over 1,900 New Jersey residents died from an opioid overdose in the past year. Heroin-related deaths have doubled, and fentanyl-related
Introducing the Rutgers University SSDP Chapter
I’m thrilled to introduce our newest SSDP chapter in the Mid-Atlantic region: Rutgers University! Chapter leader Eitan Scher started making plans over the summer to get a chapter going, and one month in has already established a solid core group that is meeting regularly. I spoke with Eitan about his progress so far and his vision for the future of
Rowan's "Box City" Brings Awareness to Harsh Dorm Eviction Policies
Written by Rowan SSDP chapter members Lisa Tischio and Rachel Tevlin On Wednesday October 8th, students at Rowan University hosted the 4th annual Box City in protest of the university’s dorm eviction policy. Rowan University has a zero tolerance drug policy that causes dozens of students each semester to be kicked out of their on-campus housing for first time drug
Cory Booker's Victory in Senate Contest Is a Victory for Drug Reform
Newark Mayor Cory Booker won the Democratic primary election last night, setting him up as the expected winner in the contest for New Jersey’s open Senate seat. Booker’s victory in the general election is not certain, but it’s pretty close to a sure thing, which means he is now poised to become the most vehement advocate for drug policy reform
SSDP's 911 Good Samaritan Policy Database Updated
Special thanks to our intern Greg Weeks for researching and compiling this data, as well as writing this blog post. We’ve updated our database of colleges and universities with 911 Good Samaritan (also referred to as medical amnesty) policies! We found and catalogued 186 institutions and 21 states with such policies in place. The full list of schools can be found
New Jersey gets 'smart' on drug offenses
Earlier this week, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced a sweeping change to the way in which the Garden State will handle non-violent drug offenders. Strapped for cash and looking for ways to cut costs where ever possible, the governor announced a comprehensive plan to help keep non-violent drug offenders out of the state’s already overcrowded jails. But this plan
New Jersey Coalition Forms to Support Bi-Partisan Marijuana Decriminalization Bill
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) and the New Jersey chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML-NJ) have started a new coalition to support decriminalizing marijuana: Sensible New Jersey. A bi-partisan marijuana decriminalization bill, A4252, was introduced on June 29, 2011 in Trenton. Sponsored by Assemblymen Reed Gusciora (D) and Michael Patrick Carroll (R) the
NJ: Marijuana Decriminalization Measure Takes Shape
With less than one full week to go before the NJ Legislature breaks for summer recess, activists in the Garden State have been closely working with legislators to introduce landmark legislation to eliminate the criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana. Known as Sensible New Jersey, this effort is being spearheaded by Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) and NORML NJ, and marks
Outstanding Alum Award: Victor Pinho
Victor became involved with drug policy when he founded the University of Maryland chapter of NORML in 2005. There he teamed up with the campus chapter of SSDP and established a reputation of solid membership, leadership, and political credibility within the drug policy reform efforts at UMD. As an alum, he continued to stay involved. After graduating in 2006 and
3 new SSDP Chapter Leaders
Announcing the latest additions to SSDP’s chapter network; we’re proud to add the following three new chapters to the map! Daytona State College – Daytona Beach, FL (Southern Region) When Patrick Moo called our office for the first time at the beginning of December, he was already ahead of the game. He was already in the process of starting a chapter at
New Jersey Governor risks reelection through restriction
With Gov. Chris Christie’s approval ratings teetering, and talk of a potential presidential run in 2012, one would think the last thing he would want to do is exacerbate any issue that polls well with his constituency. But when it comes to the overwhelmingly popular topic of medical marijuana, Gov. Christie has yet to see the forest full of trees. With 81
