NJ lawmaker introducing bill to legalize marijuana
Adults in New Jersey would be able to buy up to an ounce of marijuana and grow their own plants all while the state takes its cut in taxes.
That’s the plan from a Democratic lawmaker who announced the details Monday.
Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, also said too many people were carrying around criminal convictions that carried permanent consequences because of petty marijuana laws.
The bill he introduced Monday would legalize marijuana possession and use for those who are at least 21 years old. If it does become lawn, and there is strong opposition to it from Governor Christie, New Jersey would be the first on the east coast and third state in the country to legalize the substance.
Individuals would be able to carry around less than an ounce of the substance, which would be distributed by legitimate businesses and taxed at a 7 percent rate. Taxes would go to road repairs, a drug enforcement fund and women’s health.
Christie has said he is against legalization. Currently, a limited number of strictly regulated medical marijuana distributors are operated in the state.
“It would bring marijuana out of the underground market,” Scutari said. “Just as alcohol has been for decades.” (Phillis/The Record)
can we just tack Heoin onto this bill so we can solve two problems at once ?