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11-16-2015, 02:16 PM
http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/marijuana_legalization_supporters_will_testify_at. html#incart_river_index
TRENTON — Eighteen months after proposing a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in New Jersey, state Sen. Nicholas Scutari will preside over a hearing (http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/legalizing_marijuana_in_nj_will_get_a_public_heari .html#incart_most_shared-healthfit) Monday that allows only supporters to testify.
"I am going to start positive, then open up the floor to the people are against it," said Scutari (D-Union). Opponents will get their turn at a future hearing, he said.
With a governor who firmly opposes legalizing recreational marijuana use, there is plenty of time to give everybody who wants to speak out a chance to do so, he said. He admits he thinks opponents offer "shallow arguments" to make their point.
"A journey of a thousand steps starts with the first," said Scutari, who as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called the hearing. "The first step was introducing the bill and this is the natural next step — to talk about the benefits of legalization and the negative impact prohibition has had."
As both a governor and a candidate for president, Christie has called marijuana a "gateway" drug that is harmful to children. He has said that if elected president, (http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/10/christie_colorado_students_differ_greatly_on_legal .html#incart_story_package)he would challenge the states that legalized its recreational use. His term is up in January 2018.
Under the bill, local elected officials could impose an ordinance barring a dispensary or any pot-related business from opening, and dictate how many would be allowed, hours of operation and licensing fees and regulations.
Sales tax and application fee revenue would be dedicated to the Transportation Trust Fund, drug enforcement and prevention efforts, and women's health programs, which Christie has cut since taking office in 2010.
No action will be taken on Scutari's bill (http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/S2000/1896_I1.PDF), (S1896) Monday.
A compelling reason to stay in NJ...
TRENTON — Eighteen months after proposing a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in New Jersey, state Sen. Nicholas Scutari will preside over a hearing (http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/11/legalizing_marijuana_in_nj_will_get_a_public_heari .html#incart_most_shared-healthfit) Monday that allows only supporters to testify.
"I am going to start positive, then open up the floor to the people are against it," said Scutari (D-Union). Opponents will get their turn at a future hearing, he said.
With a governor who firmly opposes legalizing recreational marijuana use, there is plenty of time to give everybody who wants to speak out a chance to do so, he said. He admits he thinks opponents offer "shallow arguments" to make their point.
"A journey of a thousand steps starts with the first," said Scutari, who as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called the hearing. "The first step was introducing the bill and this is the natural next step — to talk about the benefits of legalization and the negative impact prohibition has had."
As both a governor and a candidate for president, Christie has called marijuana a "gateway" drug that is harmful to children. He has said that if elected president, (http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/10/christie_colorado_students_differ_greatly_on_legal .html#incart_story_package)he would challenge the states that legalized its recreational use. His term is up in January 2018.
Under the bill, local elected officials could impose an ordinance barring a dispensary or any pot-related business from opening, and dictate how many would be allowed, hours of operation and licensing fees and regulations.
Sales tax and application fee revenue would be dedicated to the Transportation Trust Fund, drug enforcement and prevention efforts, and women's health programs, which Christie has cut since taking office in 2010.
No action will be taken on Scutari's bill (http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/S2000/1896_I1.PDF), (S1896) Monday.
A compelling reason to stay in NJ...