Murphy Says He Supports Marijuana Legalization In New Jersey

Katelyn Baker;3059042 said:

Phil Murphy, the Democrats' likely nominee for governor next year, said Thursday night that he supports the legalization of marijuana in New Jersey.

"I support legalization," Murphy said in response to a question at a town hall event in Rutherford.

Murphy's position puts him at odds with Governor Christie, who says marijuana is a "gateway drug" and a danger to society. Murphy said that after studying the issue, he concluded that legalization was the best option. But the decision was tough, he said, since he is the father of four teenagers.

Advocates for marijuana legalization say the sky hasn't fallen in states such as Colorado and Oregon, where recreational marijuana use has been legal for years. New Jersey currently permits the use of marijuana for some medical purposes, and last month, Christie signed legislation allowing it as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

State Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led a fact-finding trip to Colorado earlier this year and has been gathering expert testimony on marijuana. He says he expects to pass a bill to legalize it once Christie leaves office in January 2018.

A group called New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform, the state chapter American Civil Liberties Union, and the liberal think tank New Jersey Policy Perspective have estimated that legalizing and taxing marijuana would generate around $300 million in new revenue for the $34.5 billion state budget. The state would also save $127 million in the criminal justice system by ceasing to penalize the drug's use. they say. Some New Jersey Republicans also support legalizing the drug, including Jon-Henry Barr, the president of the New Jersey Municipal Prosecutors Association, and Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll, R-Morris.

Although several states have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use, federal law enforcement officials have declined to remove it from "Schedule I," their category for the most dangerous drugs.

News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Murphy Says He Supports Marijuana Legalization In New Jersey
Author: Salvador Rizzo
Contact: North Jersey
Photo Credit: George McNish
Website: North Jersey

Click to expand...