Marijuana in New Jersey will have to wait, after the vote today was called off due to a lack of support.
Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland) issued the following statement expressing his firm commitment to enacting legislation to legalize adult use marijuana and the continuation of social justice reforms:
BREAKING: NJ Marijuana vote off for now
— The Lakewood Scoop (@LakewoodScoop) March 25, 2019
“While we are all disappointed that we did not secure enough votes to ensure legislative approval of the adult use cannabis bill today, we made substantial progress on a plan that would make significant changes in social policy.
“Governor Murphy has shown real leadership in driving this issue. He worked with Speaker Coughlin, with me and with the bill’s sponsors and social justice advocates in a shared commitment to change failed drug laws and reform the criminal justice system.
“This fight is not over. We need to learn from this experience and continue to move forward.
“While this legislation is not advancing today, I remain committed to its passage. The Senate was very close to 21 votes and, with more education and advocacy, I believe we will get this legislation across the finish line.”
I think it’s great that wasn’t passed. Although may be helpful in certain medical cases, I you examine the research in states that marijuana use has been legal,such as Colorado, it’s been pretty much a disaster. The cost of regulating has been more that profit so so much for the economic argument. The black market is just as bad as other drugs. There’s reports of moldy and unusable product that makes it to the market. The list of side effects as well as some research of causing psychotic episodes, makes it a terrible move
The double standard that the media and politicians take is sad. Less than one year ago when there was a “Medicaid Amnesty” Program which actually required you to make restitution. All we heard from the media was that that the program was a bogus program and was nothing more than pandering to the Orthodox in Lakewood – and we are allowing a specific group to commit crimes and get “away” with it…Now we have a New term called “Social Injustice” Where we have one group is overwhelmingly committing a crime and getting locked up for it. We decide that’s an injustice – So what do we do Make it legal and expunge anyone with a record of committing the crime. Why is it right to pander to one ethnic group and not the other?? I am obviously not saying to make it legal to do Medicaid fraud – but there was a program (which actually required to make restitution -unlike here where it will be expunged for doing nothing)and all we got to hear were complaints of the Orthodox’s Special Treatment” why the double standard?
Marijuana is a very dangerous type of drug and should not be used!
I think it very stupid idea to use these drugs. No need for this to be passed.
@Josh Its extremely dangerous for you to voice your opinion on Cannabis! You are so ignorant on the topic!
#1 No one ever died from marijuana use compared to 8800 deaths from alcohol use
#2 Marijuana does NOT kill brain cells and has zero long term damage with adult use
#3 Adolescent consumption of marijuana has gone down in the states that ended prohibition because when regulated its harder for then to have access because of the drop of illegal dealers on the street
#4 Marijuana legalization has led to a 7 to 25 percent decline in opioid deaths
This Barely Small fry After The Other Vote