By Claude Brodesser-Akner | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on September 27, 2016 at 1:42 PM
TRENTON — Lawmakers from both political parties are mulling whether New Jersey should legalize marijuana, but differ over whether it should be more leniently regulated and taxed like cigarettes, or more restrictively, like alcohol.
Late last week, Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (R-Morris) introduced a bill (A4193) that legalizes marijuana, treating it and marijuana products in the same fashion as tobacco, which is sold only to those over 19 years of age.
Carroll’s bill would also provide for records expungement for certain past marijuana offenses.
Yep. But it won’t solve much of the drug problem, which is mostly heroin. Part of me says legalize that too. Bring it out into the open, take it off the streets and put it where we can see it. OD rates and inner city crime would drop, at the very least. The downside would be that more people might be tempted to try it if it were easier to get. Maybe a “Heroin Database” would be a deterrent for most people. Of course, junkies wouldn’t care, but they don’t care now.
Treat it like alcohol.
There’s no comparison to alcohol. The vast majority of alcohol is consumed on a very limited basis. It’s mostly the beer at a bbq or a glass of wine with dinner. A small minority abuse alcohol to the point of drunkeness. These same things cannot be said for drugs.
Holy crap 7:20 get your head out of your ass. Very limited basis???
What planet are you living on?
Legalize Heroin. 2:54 must be high.
Actually, 7:20, the EXACT same thing can be said for almost all drugs. Look up annual alcohol related deaths. No look up annual marijuana related deaths, and subtract any that are related to its illegality i.e. violent crimes related to the drug trade. There is no comparison. 10:10 is right, your head is squarely in your ass on this one.
Do not lump pot with other drugs. It just confuses things.
There is a lot more drinking going on than just barbecues and a glass of wine with dinner. Vodka’s growing popularity is cutting into beer sales. ImBev has purchased most of the iconic American beer brands – because there is money to be made.
It will not solve the drug or alcohol problem in the US but it will decriminalize the drug and empty the jails of pot offenders.
Lots of people would like to relax with a joint. They may overeat but they will not be sick and hungover the next day for work or school.