Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Trenton - As many as 10 states could join Colorado, Alaska, Washington, Washington, D.C., Oregon and legalize recreational marijuana this year. On Tuesday, a New Jersey lawmaker will hold a press conference Tuesday to discuss how a similar law might work here. Still, it's a safe bet legalization remains a long way off in the Garden State.
Here's a look at what likely needs to happen for New Jersey to legalize recreational pot.
1. Elect a new governor.
Gov. Chris Christie could not be any clearer than he already has: He will not legalize marijuana. He will not decriminalize marijuana possession. He is even leery of attempts to expand the medical marijuana program, calling it "a front for legalization." He leaves office in January 2018.
2. Recruit the top leaders in the legislature to public support it.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) have hedged a bit, saying only they support a public discussion about legalizing marijuana. The sponsor of the legalization bill, Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) claims Republicans in private are warming to the idea. But in the end, the major bills that pass are the ones that have strong leadership backing. It may require the right moment to get this passed, like the waning hours before the end of a legislative session or after an election.
3. The President and U.S. Justice Department must stay the course and not interfere.
President Obama did not intervene when Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and and the District of Columbia legalized weed. It remains a "schedule 1" drug, which means in the eyes of federal law enforcement, marijuana is dangerous, holds no medicinal value and is illegal. There are bills pending in congress to reschedule marijuana which would change the entire conversation, but Obama has not signaled this is a priority before he leaves office. And there's no word on what a President Clinton or Trump might do.
4. Try a test case in Atlantic City?
One of the many strategies suggested to save Atlantic City from economic ruin has been to legalize recreational pot for adults 21 and older in this resort city. A weed-friendly AC has supporters in the city and the state Assembly, although legislation has stalled.
5. Proponents must enlist more public support.
A Rutgers University-Eagleton Institute poll in June 2015 said 58 percent of New Jerseyans favor legalization. That helps, but in order to change the law, community leaders must campaign for it – or at least not work against it. Supporters cite a social justice reason rationale; blacks and Latinos are just as likely to be arrested but minorities are more likely to get convicted on marijuana legalization offenses. Individual law enforcement officers have expressed both scorn and support for the idea. With Christie so vehemently opposed, objectors have not needed to make waves. But there is no telling if there will be an organized effort against legalization once its prospects for passage become more real.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: What Needs To Happen For Recreational Marijuana To Be Legalized In N.J.?
Author: Susan K. Livio
Contact: slivio@njadvancemedia.com
Photo Credit: Aristide Economopoulos
Website: New Jersey Local News
Here's a look at what likely needs to happen for New Jersey to legalize recreational pot.
1. Elect a new governor.
Gov. Chris Christie could not be any clearer than he already has: He will not legalize marijuana. He will not decriminalize marijuana possession. He is even leery of attempts to expand the medical marijuana program, calling it "a front for legalization." He leaves office in January 2018.
2. Recruit the top leaders in the legislature to public support it.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) have hedged a bit, saying only they support a public discussion about legalizing marijuana. The sponsor of the legalization bill, Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) claims Republicans in private are warming to the idea. But in the end, the major bills that pass are the ones that have strong leadership backing. It may require the right moment to get this passed, like the waning hours before the end of a legislative session or after an election.
3. The President and U.S. Justice Department must stay the course and not interfere.
President Obama did not intervene when Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and and the District of Columbia legalized weed. It remains a "schedule 1" drug, which means in the eyes of federal law enforcement, marijuana is dangerous, holds no medicinal value and is illegal. There are bills pending in congress to reschedule marijuana which would change the entire conversation, but Obama has not signaled this is a priority before he leaves office. And there's no word on what a President Clinton or Trump might do.
4. Try a test case in Atlantic City?
One of the many strategies suggested to save Atlantic City from economic ruin has been to legalize recreational pot for adults 21 and older in this resort city. A weed-friendly AC has supporters in the city and the state Assembly, although legislation has stalled.
5. Proponents must enlist more public support.
A Rutgers University-Eagleton Institute poll in June 2015 said 58 percent of New Jerseyans favor legalization. That helps, but in order to change the law, community leaders must campaign for it – or at least not work against it. Supporters cite a social justice reason rationale; blacks and Latinos are just as likely to be arrested but minorities are more likely to get convicted on marijuana legalization offenses. Individual law enforcement officers have expressed both scorn and support for the idea. With Christie so vehemently opposed, objectors have not needed to make waves. But there is no telling if there will be an organized effort against legalization once its prospects for passage become more real.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: What Needs To Happen For Recreational Marijuana To Be Legalized In N.J.?
Author: Susan K. Livio
Contact: slivio@njadvancemedia.com
Photo Credit: Aristide Economopoulos
Website: New Jersey Local News