The Jaffe Briefing - January 9, 2019

WAYNE - Back in the day, a "Cannabis Institute" at a New Jersey college typically comprised a bong, a couple boxes of half-eaten pizza and some R.E.M. But this is a new generation, and now colleges are eager to create "Institutes" about pretty much anything. And, so, prospective students at William Paterson University will soon be getting wooed by the newly-announced "Cannabis Institute." University officials vow that this institute is real, just like Stockton University's minor in "Cannabis Studies" which lit up this fall. William Paterson says the institute will comprise a dozen university experts, who can talk about all things related to criminal justice, biology, public health, counseling and economics. So, yeah, it looks like Jeff Spicoli will be going to college, after all.

 

TRENTON - It's duck season in New Jersey, nowhere more than at the State House. That's where Administration officials, one after another, ducked and weaved as they testified yesterday before a select legislative committee. Um, it wasn't their job, or maybe it was the other guy's, to follow up on the shocking allegation of rape against a former Murphy campaigner-turned-administration employee. Sen. Loretta Weinberg, the clearly exasperated co-chairwoman of the committee remarked, "Nobody seems to have responsibility for anything." Is Gov. Phil Murphy getting his very own duck dynasty? Read all about it in NJ Spotlight.

 

ONLINE - Should elected officials be able to block, delete or "unfriend" us on social media for criticizing their performance? We may find out, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit against Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede. A few of Yaede's critics say, as a public figure, her social media sites are "public forums" and accuse her of censorship for deleting their less-than-flattering remarks or blocking them entirely. The Trentonian says Yaede's lawyer just asked for the lawsuit to be moved from state to federal court because some critical First Amendment issues are at stake. A verdict in the case could have broader implications for politicians in New Jersey and beyond. But, for now, it looks like elected officials will just have to read 'em and weep.

 

 

STATEWIDE - People can be pet doctors. So, why not pet lawyers? That's the thinking behind a new Assembly bill that would allow lawyers, or even law school students, to act as legal advocates for mistreated pets and abused animals in New Jersey. They would monitor cruelty cases, attend court hearings and make recommendations to judges. The bill sponsor, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, says her proposal could ensure "animals that are abused get justice," noting that "far too many animal cruelty cases in New Jersey ... end without trial or conviction." The message here: Take good care of your pets, folks. And, to avoid potential litigation, maybe it's finally time to allow Fido onto the bedspread.

 

NEWARK - Ever hear of loperamide toxicity?  Yeah, us neither. But the State Poison Control Center is calling it a growing, dangerous trend in New Jersey. So, what is it? In layman's terms, it's when you guzzle too much Imodium, or other over-the counter anti-diarrhea medicine, NJ 101.5 reports.  Now, there's no issue if you drink the stuff to take care of regular problems, and to just be, er, regular. But some people are actually drinking 100 times or so the recommended dose, to use it an opioid. Not only will these people not have bowel movement until, say, 2023, they can also overdose and kill themselves. So, is this really an issue? "Yes," says an emphatic State Poison Control Center, noting 53 calls last year from people who overdosed.

 

PRINCETON - On one hand, it is just awful to give any attention to white supremacists.  On the other, it seems important to inform readers that the uneducated twits comprising the "New Jersey European Heritage Association" will be holding a march in Princeton on Saturday.  Yeah, yeah, this is all about free speech. And, yeah, yeah, any group has the right to assemble to protest whatever they want, mo matter how racist, slack-jawed or ignorant they may be. And, yeah, yeah, there will be a lot of media coverage. So, yeah, we need to mention this rally and hope plenty of counter-demonstrators appear to promote the tolerance we all desperately need. Or, better yet, let's pray for a lot of snow.