CBD Oil Regulations in Philadelphia and New Jersey

olive-wolverine-471793.hostingersite.com (March 18, 2020)–Cannabidiol or CBD oil has long been known to have many health benefits. This therapeutic substance has a worldwide fan base with millions of people using it for its wide range of health-related advantages. Despite its health benefits, the distribution and use of CBD oil in the United States are strictly regulated.

Regardless of its health benefits, the extraction process has made the legalization of CBD oil a hot topic for a long time. Laws regarding its use are different in each state and are applied to both people who want to use CBD oil and pet owners who want to administer it to their pets. So, here is what you need to know about CBD oil regulations in Philadelphia and New Jersey.

CBD Oil Regulations in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s largest city. CBD regulations in this part of the US align with federal laws. CBD can be derived from both hemp and marijuana plants, with different laws for each variety. Federal law and laws applying in the state of Pennsylvania only allow the purchase, sale, and use of CBD oil extracted from hemp, as stated in

the Farm Bill of 2018

. That enables citizens to buy and use the oil without a doctor’s prescription.

Oil extracted from marijuana, on the other hand, is legal only for qualified patients. Selling or

purchasing of oil extracted from marijuana for recreational purposes is illegal

and classified as a misdemeanor.

CBD Oil Regulations in New Jersey

The use of CBD oil needs to align with in-state laws. Just like in Philadelphia, whether the CBD oil is legal or not depends on its derivation. Now, you may be wondering why CBD oil extracted from marijuana is different and deemed illegal compared to its hemp counterpart. That is because oil extracted from marijuana is likely to contain

tetrahydrocannabinol

(THC), a substance known to have psychoactive effects on people. Unauthorized usage of this substance is illegal.

According to the Farm Bill, only CBD oil extracted from hemp that contains little to no THC is legal to be distributed and used without a doctor’s prescription. It has no psychoactive effects, hence can be used in a wide range of products. Just like in Philadelphia, marijuana-derived CBD is illegal for retail sale and use and is only authorized for patients in the Medical Marijuana Program.

CBD Oil for People and Pets

While regulations related to the possession and use of CBD oil are strict at the state and federal level, the product is still very much in demand. While a lot of its health benefits are yet to be scientifically proven, what makes CBD oil such a sought after product for both people and their

beloved four-legged friends

is explained below.

Natural Pain Reliever

Some studies have shown that CBD oil can be used to relieve joint pain in people and animals. It is believed that the effect of cannabis on the brain receptors of humans and some animals helps relieve and manage pain in the body.

CBD Oil for Seizures

Seizures are the most studied application of CBD oil in people. Even though there is limited research on pets, the substance is said to reduce the risk of epileptic seizures in

dogs and cats

as well. Research is not yet definitive, but studies have shown that CBD oil reduces the likelihood of seizures and strokes in pets, children, and adults alike.

CBD Oil for Anxiety

While research is still in its infancy, CBD oil has also been known to help people deal with anxiety and other related disorders like PTSD, social anxiety, and panic disorder. Researchers attribute this to CBD\’s effect on the way our brain receptors react to serotonin. It has also been used to relieve anxiety in pets, but research on that is inconclusive.

Conclusion

CBD oil has been proven beneficial to both people and animals. Despite this, federal and state laws remain strict regarding their use. Both Philadelphia and New Jersey only authorize the use of CBD oil extracted from hemp while those extracted from marijuana are illegal. Therefore, before purchasing or using CBD oil in Philadelphia, New Jersey or anywhere else in the US, make sure everything is in compliance with the law.

DNREC announces changes to operations in response to COVID-19

Parks, wildlife areas open with no entrance fees until April 30,

but park and wildlife buildings, centers closed to public; Fishing, hunting,

boating licenses, park and conservation passes sales moved online

DOVER, Del. – The

Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

continues to focus on taking a proactive and preventative approach to keep communities and employees safe in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, while maintaining operations and services as best as possible.

To encourage Delawareans to be active outdoors and to provide space for activity during the coronavirus period, no fees will be charged or passes required for entrance to

Delaware State Parks

and state wildlife areas, effective immediately until April 30.

“Times are challenging and options are few, and this is an opportunity for Delawareans to experience our amazing parks and wildlife areas, to embrace nature while we maintain social distance from each other,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “Hopefully, people will enjoy them enough that they will want to keep coming back long after coronavirus has passed, so we encourage people to buy a state park or wildlife conservation area pass online to use for the rest of the season and to support park and wildlife area operations.”

State parks and wildlife areas are open, and no entrance fees will be charged from now until April 30. All state park campsite, cabins, bathhouses, cottages continue to be open at this time. Buildings such as park and wildlife area offices and nature centers will close after the end of the day Tuesday, and programs and tours are canceled. Anyone visiting a park or wildlife area is encouraged to engage in responsible social distancing practices, avoiding groupings of people. People can find

parks

and

wildlife areas

listed online.

As of Wednesday morning, sales of

fishing licenses, hunting licenses, conservation passes for vehicle access to wildlife areas and boat registrations

will occur online only or at any third-party vendors that remain open, instead of in person at DNREC’s Dover office.

Annual park passes good for the entire season and surf fishing tags

should also be purchased online only or at any third-party agents instead of at park offices or in the Dover office; purchased park passes will be mailed before April 30. The Department has provided convenient links to these resources on its homepage, available at

dnrec.delaware.gov

.

Commercial fishing license sales will continue at the Department’s main office in Dover by appointment only. Call 302-739-9916 to make an appointment.

Applications and information provided for well, septic, air, water and other permits are being accepted by email, mail and phone, reducing direct interchange of documents.

Hearings for permits, regulations and appeals are being moved to phone or video for public access. Details on how to access any hearings will be posted with the

official hearing notices

.

Most Department-related events and programs, including tours, trainings and special events have been postponed, including the Junior Solar Sprint competition for middle-school students at Delaware Technical Community College’s Dover campus April 2, the volunteer training April 4 for the annual horseshoe crab spawning survey and the “Make a Splash” water education event for elementary students at the St. Jones Reserve April 7. Specific information about the status of any events is available on the

online events calendar

,

parks program calendar

and social media pages,

Facebook

and

Twitter

.

The Department remains open. Many office-based employees are working from home and remote locations or relocating within offices to create distance among individuals. Adjustments are being made to procedures for many parks, wildlife and field personnel to reduce interactions among employees and with the public.

For the latest information on COVID-19 in Delaware, visit

de.gov/coronavirus

.

The

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy uses science, education, policy development and incentives to address Delaware\’s climate, energy and coastal challenges. For more information, visit the

website

and connect with @DNREC on

Facebook

,

Twitter

or

LinkedIn

.

Archdiocese of Philly Cancels Public Masses Effective at 12 noon Wednesday

Today, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced that Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez has

suspended all public Masses in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia effective at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18th and until further notice.

Last week, the Archbishop dispensed the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Both decisions were made in response to the growing concern over the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the directives provided by government and health department officials at the local, state, and national levels. These measures will be re-evaluated pending future developments.

Archbishop Pérez said, “As the Archbishop of Philadelphia, my first priority is to ensure the health and welfare of those entrusted to the pastoral and temporal care of our Church. So, in light of the developing Coronavirus pandemic, a decision has been made to suspend the public celebration of all Masses in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for the time being.

All of us need to do our part to slow the spread of this illness. Like you, we are monitoring coronavirus developments and look forward to continuing our lives on a more normal basis.

While things may look and feel different during these uncertain times, I want to be very clear that the Catholic Church in Philadelphia is not closing down. It is not disappearing and it will not abandon you. Time and again as our history has proven the Church has risen to meet great challenges and provide a beacon of hope and light.

As your Shepherd, I promise that the Church remains steadfast and is prepared to walk with you and serve you. Neither the Church nor its charitable works will stop. God is always by our side. He never abandons us. I invite you to join me in prayerful solidarity for the intentions of the sick, suffering, and their caregivers as well as government and health officials. With God’s grace and blessing, we will navigate the difficult waters of this challenge as a united human family, for after all is said and done, we are people of Hope!”

Though public Masses are suspended in all churches in the Archdiocese, the right and need of the faithful to hear the Word of God and celebrate the Sacraments is not put aside. Pastors, along with all those who work with them, will be as attentive as possible to all the spiritual, pastoral, and charitable needs of the people they serve.

Priests will continue to offer the sacrifice of the Holy Mass during this period and to honor all requested Mass intentions.

Churches can remain open as a location for private prayer at the discretion of the pastor.  Baptisms, Confessions, Marriages, and Funerals will take place as usual but with due regard for the limitation of participants and reasonable social distancing.

In conjunction with directives already in force in hospitals and institutions, all visits to the sick with Holy Communion, including in private homes, by priests, deacons, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are suspended.  In such instances, only priests will be available to celebrate the Sacraments for those in immediate danger of death. In all circumstances, government and health agency directives for group size and social distancing are to be observed as the Archdiocese of Philadelphia strives to meet the pastoral and temporal needs of all those in need.

On Sunday, March 15th, the Archdiocese featured a live streaming broadcast of the 11:00 a.m. Mass on its website and Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page for the benefit of those wishing to participate in the liturgy remotely. This broadcast will continue each Sunday on an ongoing basis.

Additional information regarding opportunities for prayer and devotions are available on the Archdiocesan website.

*Gloucester Township Police Department Presents Blood Donation Drive

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP NJ–The American Red Cross has an Emergency Need for blood and platelet donors of all types to give now.

Inventories are critically low, with only a

1-Day supply of Type O on hand

.

Please consider donating and help replenish the blood supply for patients in need.

You might not realize how important certain letters are until they\’re gone.

A, B and O are our main blood groups and when not enough people donate blood, hospital shelves may be empty when a critical patient arrives.

A few missing letters may not seem like a big deal, but for a hospital patient who needs type A, B or O blood, these letters mean life.

Gloucester Township Police Department

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Monday, March 30th

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Appointments are preferred. Call 1-800-REDCROSS

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE:

SIGN UP!

Or sign up at

www.redcrossblood.org

and use sponsor code: Gloucester Township Police

Save time on the day of the donation and visit

www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass

Area hospital patients are counting on you!

Don’t forget to HYDRATE and please remember your ID.

Address/Location

Gloucester Township Police Department

1261 Chews Landing Rd

Gloucester Township, NJ 08021

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 856-228-4500

A Message from Maple Shade Police Chief

MAPLE SHADE NJ–The last few days I have taken the opportunity to communicate with the public on a variety of messages relating to Covid-19 and our response to this situation. As we have all watched the news and heard reports about the significant concerns surrounding our elderly population, I wanted to address a number of specific issues focused on them exclusively. Having older parents myself who reside in our town and knowing their concerns about their safety and wellbeing, I thought it only proper to author this message to ensure the “bedrock of our community” is in the forefront of minds.

With that said, I am asking each of you to please check on your elderly neighbors and ensure they have what they need during this difficult time. This can easily be accomplished via a simple phone call, text message or knocking on their door and talking through a barrier such as a storm door, a window or at a safe distance of at least 6 feet.

If you have not had much of a relationship with your elderly neighbor(s), now is the time to change that course of conduct. Lasting relationships are often built in times of crisis and damaged relationships can often be repaired under the same trying conditions. Please take the first step for the greater good and reach out now.

During these conversations, please ask your neighbors how they are feeling. If they are lacking anything such a food, medicine or have any other immediate needs? It is critically important that we care for these residents and ensure their needs are being met in order to keep them safe and away from exposure to Covid-19.

Additionally, please also be on the look out for scammers or fraudsters trying to take advantage of our elderly population. These can take several different forms and many can be found in an on-line setting. Examples include fake sites claiming to be the World Health Organization website where they steal your email and password, fraudulent emails claiming to be the CDC with a link that downloads Malware and lastly, charity scams claiming to solicit funds for Covid-19 victims. In your conversations with your neighbors, please remind them that these type of scams are on-going and evolving and when in doubt, they can call the Maple Shade Police for assistance at #856-234-8300.

Lastly, I want to remind our elderly population that they have no obligation to answer the door for solicitors. Approved solicitors in Maple Shade will have an identification card hanging from a lanyard around their neck. A resident can ask to see it if you would like. If a resident has a “No Knock No Solicitation” sticker issued by our agency on their door or a sign either purchased or made by them indicating “No Solicitation” and a solicitor knocks anyway, that is prohibited behavior and you should contact the police immediately to address the matter. If a solicitor is being pushy or persistent and won’t take no for an answer, again, you can contact the police for assistance.

On behalf of the men and women of the Maple Shade Police Department, thank you for your assistance and help in caring for our community. We rely on the public to be our eyes and ears at all times and in all ways and are grateful for the partnership we share with you in protecting our town.

Cancelling County Committee Elections Doesn’t Make Sense

Ambrosino: “

Democrat or Republican county committee members are the backbone of county parties.

HADDON HEIGHTS – After learning of

a report

that state election officials are considering cancelling county committee elections and extending terms for a year Camden County Republican Chairman Rich

olive-wolverine-471793.hostingersite.com graphic files

Ambrosino said that was a bad idea that risks disenfranchising voters who also happen to be among the most active members of their local communities.

“The coronavirus has caused some very real public safety concerns and while government is doing its best to keep us all safe some ideas are better than others,” Rich Ambrosino said. “For example, conducting this year’s primary election using only mail-in ballots is sensible, delaying the primary election and extending the deadline to file nominating petitions make sense.”

“Cancelling county committee elections doesn’t make sense and risks alienating the most active members of our communities.” Ambrosino explained, “Democrat or Republican county committee members are the backbone of county parties. The folks who place their names on the primary election ballot to run for county committee are the most local of local activists, they represent our parties at the neighborhood level. These are the people who donate their time and talent to the electoral process.”

“While we all continue to work to keep people safe during this time of crisis it is vitally important we do not alienate any group of voters, especially the most active group of voters” Ambrosino said. “While I am hopeful officials delay the primary election and extend the deadline to file nominating petitions to allow candidates to safely collect additional signatures, I am equally hopeful that officials do not disenfranchise those who want to take an active role in the electoral process by cancelling elections for county committee.”