Tag: New Jersey

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Valley Hospital Ties for 5th Highest Rated Hospital in New Jersey

valley_hospital_theridgewoodblog

U.S. News Hospitals Rankings and Ratings

August 9,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, U.S. News has issued it top hospitals rankings and ratings. The U.S. News Best Hospitals analysis reviews hospitals’ performance in clinical specialties, procedures and conditions. Scores are based on several factors, including survival, patient safety, nurse staffing and more. Hospitals are ranked nationally in specialties from cancer to urology and rated in common procedures and conditions, such as heart bypass surgery, hip and knee replacement and COPD. Hospitals are also ranked regionally within states and major metro areas. The Honor Roll recognizes 20 hospitals with outstanding performance across multiple areas of care.

According to the U.S. News Hospitals Rankings and Ratings Hackensack University Medical Center was the top ranked hospital in New Jersey edging out  local Valley Hospital at number 5 , Englewood Hospital and Medical Center number 13 and St. Joseph’s Healthcare System-Paterson also tied for 13.

Hackensack University Medical Center

Hackensack, NJ 07601-1914
#1 in New Jersey

Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, NJ is nationally ranked in 3 adult specialties and 1 pediatric specialty.

NATIONALLY RANKED in 3 Specialties & 1 Children’s Specialty
HIGH PERFORMING in 8 Procedures/Conditions

____________________________________________________________________

Morristown Medical Center

Morristown, NJ 07960-6136
#2 in New Jersey

Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ is nationally ranked in 2 adult specialties.

NATIONALLY RANKED in 2 Specialties
HIGH PERFORMING in 9 Procedures/Conditions

_____________________________________________________________________

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1928
#3 in New Jersey

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ is nationally ranked in 1 pediatric specialty.

NATIONALLY RANKED in 1 Children’s Specialty
HIGH PERFORMING in 7 Procedures/Conditions

______________________________________________________________________

Jersey Shore University Medical Center

Neptune, NJ 07754-0397
#4 in New Jersey

Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, NJ is not nationally ranked in any specialty.

HIGH PERFORMING in 8 Procedures/Conditions

_____________________________________________________________________

AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center

Atlantic City, NJ 08401-6713
#5 in New Jersey

AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, NJ is not nationally ranked in any specialty.

HIGH PERFORMING in 6 Procedures/Conditions

______________________________________________________________________-

Valley Hospital

Ridgewood, NJ 07450-2726
#5 in New Jersey

Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ is not nationally ranked in any specialty.

HIGH PERFORMING in 7 Procedures/Conditions

_______________________________________________________________________

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center

Englewood, NJ 07631-1898
#13 in New Jersey

Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in Englewood, NJ is not nationally ranked in any specialty.

HIGH PERFORMING in 3 Procedures/Conditions

_______________________________________________________________________________________

St. Joseph’s Healthcare System-Paterson

Paterson, NJ 07503-2691
#13 in New Jersey

St. Joseph’s Healthcare System-Paterson in Paterson, NJ is not nationally ranked in any specialty.

HIGH PERFORMING in 3 Procedures/Conditions

___________________________________________________________________________
Posted on by — Leave a comment

New Jersey to Modernize Public Safety Communications across the State adopts wireless network solely for first responders

valleyEmergency_theridgewoodblog

August 4,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,  Governor Chris Christie is helping transform first responder communications in New Jersey by “opting in” to FirstNet. With his decision, FirstNetand AT&T will deliver a specialized wireless broadband network to New Jersey’s public safety community. This will make New Jersey one of the first states in the country to bring first responders advanced technologies that will help them save lives and protect communities.

“New Jersey is proud to take this important step for first responders in our state. The decision to join this network means FirstNet and AT&T will deliver a highly secure, next-generation solution for our public safety community, building, maintaining and operating it at no cost and no risk to our state,” said Governor Christie.

AT&T, in a public-private partnership with FirstNet, will drive innovation and create an entire system of modernized devices, apps and tools for first responders.

This is one of the most economical and technologically advanced decisions Governor Christie will make for the State’s first responders and the residents they serve. The FirstNet network will transform the way New Jersey’s fire, police, EMS and other public safety personnel communicate and share information. Specifically, FirstNet and AT&T will:

Connect first responder subscribers to the critical information they need in a highly secure manner when handling day-to-day operations, responding to emergencies and supporting large events, such as game day at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
Create an efficient communications experience for public safety personnel in agencies and jurisdictions across the State during natural disasters. This includes seasonal hurricanes along the New Jersey Shore like Hurricane Sandy.
Enhance network coverage in rural areas. This will benefit first responders and residents throughout New Jersey’s topographically diverse landscape. First responders will also have access to dedicated network deployables for additional coverage and support when needed.
Drive infrastructure investments and create jobs across the State.
Usher in a new wave of innovation that first responders can depend on. This will create an ever-evolving set of life-saving tools for public safety, including public safety apps, specialized devices and Internet of Things technologies. It also carries the potential for future integration with NextGen 9-1-1 networks and Smart Cities’ infrastructure.

“Opting in to FirstNet underscores New Jersey’s commitment to ensuring first responders are capable of meeting constantly evolving challenges,” said Jared Maples, Acting Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. “As one of the first states to opt-in, New Jersey continues to be a national leader of public safety technology innovation.”

The FirstNet solution that will be built in New Jersey was designed with direct input from the State’s public safety community. As a FirstNet early builder participant, New Jersey shared best practices for the network’s implementation, especially as it relates to deployables. FirstNet has also been meeting with New Jersey’s officials and public safety personnel for several years to address their unique communication needs. This includes:

Giving first responders access to a reliable network connection and extending coverage along the Jersey Shore and in the Pine Barrens as well as other areas throughout the state
Taking extra steps to protect the network in hurricane-prone areas
Improving interoperability for public safety across the state as well as with neighboring states
Providing feature-rich services at highly competitive rates

“New Jersey has been at the forefront of public safety broadband, and with Governor Christie’s decision to join FirstNet, the state is once again leading the nation,” said FirstNet CEO Mike Poth. “FirstNet and AT&T are pleased to offer a plan that surpasses the challenges that New Jersey’s bravest face every day, and we look forward to delivering the network for public safety in the Garden State.”

The decision enables FirstNet and AT&T to begin creating an entirely new wireless ecosystem for public safety communications. New Jersey’s first responder subscribers will have immediate access to quality of service and priority to voice and data across the existing nationwide AT&T LTE network.

Preemption for primary users over the AT&T LTE network is expected by year-end. This means fire, police, EMS and other public safety workers will have dedicated access to the network when and where they need it – 24/7/365, like their mission.

“Governor Christie is making public safety a priority,” said Chris Sambar, senior vice president, AT&T – FirstNet. “His decision will bring an entirely new communications experience to New Jersey’s first responders. And it’s our honor to equip the state’s public safety community with the cutting-edge tools they need to help protect New Jerseyans every day and in every emergency.”

 

Radicchio 2

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Phil Murphy Funding the Over Development Push in New Jersey

phill murphy over developement
July 29,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, no surprise here that state Democrats are funding over building in Bergen County and looking to destroy the quality of life ,turning the county into another borough of Manhattan .

“Anyone who follows me knows I have been fighting to bring rational discussion to the over development crisis impacting most of our communities. As a result I have been labeled a racist, xenophobe and a whole host of awful and untrue things by a non profit organization Fair Share Housing Development. Imagine my surprise today when I saw that their top donor list includes gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy! And we wonder why our communities are receiving no help from their representatives in Trenton.” , Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi .

In Ridgewood this blog has long warned of over development , even warning residents to not vote for  a Hudson County Mayor .
Unfortunately the warnings went unheeded and after the “3 amigos ” reign of terror in the Village is now faced with 4 major high density housing developments  that will deplete the Village of Resources , pressure water,sewer, fire ,police and education as well as lower property values  and increase tax rates.

Posted on by — 2 Comments

New Jersey Ranks Worse in Fiscal Health then Bankrupt Illinois

Sweeney & Prieto

July 26,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The fiscal health of America’s states affects all its citizens. Indicators of fiscal health come in a variety of forms—from a state’s ability to attract businesses and how much it taxes to what services it provides and how well it keeps its promises to public-sector employees.

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University’s “Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition,”is  now in its fourth year, Eileen Norcross and Olivia Gonzalez calculate indicators of fiscal health for all 50 states. Based on states’ 2015 financial statements, Florida ranks first as the most fiscally healthy state, while New Jersey ranks the lowest.

The study ranks each US state’s financial health based on short- and long-term debt and other key fiscal obligations, such as unfunded pensions and healthcare benefits. With refinements in its methodology, the 2017 edition updates the version that the Mercatus Center published in 2016. It presents information from each state’s audited financial report in an easily accessible format and is the most comprehensive snapshot of state financial health to date.

As usual New Jersey ranked 50th or dead last ,even behind bankrupt Illinois which ranked 49th.  Even Connecticut with its aggressive taxation policies that drove out huge employers General Electric and Aetna  still ranked 37th.

https://www.mercatus.org/statefiscalrankings?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fbadgeneral&utm_campaign=StateFiscalRankings&utm_term=fb&%3Futm_source=facebook

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Player Joins Bergen Golf heavyweights for New Jersey Golf Junior Championship

golf_header
July 23,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, while Paramus’s Jimmy Criscione leads the North Jersey contingent into the 96th New Jersey Junior Championship.

Davis Weil  of Ridgewood who as a junior, led Ridgewood to its first trip to the state Group 4 final in several years joins the list of Bergen County golf heavyweights.

Monday will feature an 18-hole stroke-play qualifier, with the low score 16 advancing to Tuesday morning’s first round match play. With the final of this New Jersey State Golf Association event on Wednesday afternoon.

The 47th Boys Championship will run simultaneously .The Boys Championship is for ages 15 and under and will feature Liam White of Ridgewood among the 18 players competing for the title.

Posted on by — 12 Comments

RACE TO THE BOTTOM: NJ RANKED DEAD LAST OF ALL 50 STATES FOR FISCAL HEALTH

14405_trenton_new_jersey_s_state_house_capitol_in_trenton

JOHN REITMEYER | JULY 18, 2017

Persistent underfunding of public-employee pension system looks to have been a key factor in dismal showings in state-by-state comparisons

New Jersey’s chronic budget problems have brought on a series of credit-rating downgrades in recent years, and now the state has landed in dead last place in two recent reviews of the fiscal health of all 50 states.

The latest “Fiscal Condition” rankings released by George Mason University’s Mercatus Center just dropped New Jersey several spots to 50th, thanks in large part to both short-term and long-run solvency issues that are detailed in the university’s review.

New Jersey also came in last place in a new Pew Charitable Trusts long-term analysis of how well state revenues matched expenses between fiscal years 2002 and 2015.

In both cases, the state’s persistent underfunding of the public-employee pension system appears to have contributed significantly to the dismal showings in the state-by-state comparisons. But the reports also highlight some of New Jersey’s other longstanding budget problems, including significant debt and the lack of a substantial surplus account to hedge against revenue shortfalls.

https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/17/07/17/race-to-the-bottom-nj-ranked-dead-last-for-overall-fiscal-health-of-all-50-states/

Posted on by — 3 Comments

Best-Run States Are Low-Tax Republican, Worst-Run Are High-Tax Democratic, Study Finds

new Jersey worst run state

JOHN MERLINE
7/11/2017

Several states, including Republican states, have decided to raise taxes this year to cover budget shortfalls. But a new study suggests that the states might find themselves in worse financial shape after the money starts rolling in.

According to the latest ranking of states by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, the most fiscally sound states in the nation are all low-tax, GOP strongholds, while the 10 least-solvent states are almost all high-tax and heavily Democratic.

The rankings in the fourth-annual “Ranking of the States by Fiscal Condition” report, which was released this morning, are based on a review of audited financial statements for 2015 covering five measures that gauge the states’ ability to pay bills, avoid budget deficits, and meet long-term spending needs and cover pension liabilities.

Cash solvency, for example, measures a state’s ability to pay immediate bills. Budget solvency focuses on whether states will end the year with a surplus or deficit. Service-level solvency gauges a state’s ability to meet a demand for increased spending. Long-run solvency looks at a state’s ability to meet longer-term spending commitments. Trust-fund solvency looks at the states’ unfunded pension liabilities and state debt.

There were several changes in the rankings from last year. Florida moved from sixth place to first, while Alaska dropped from first place last year to 17th this year, driven mainly by the fall in oil prices. Idaho moved into the top 10.

At the bottom of the heap, Louisiana and West Virginia both dropped down in the 10-worst list, while Hawaii greatly improved, going from 45th place last year 27th this year. Connecticut, Maine and New York also climbed out of the bottom 10 list. But New Jersey fell to dead last from last year’s 48th place.

The report also includes rankings for each individual measure of fiscal solvency, in addition to the overall ranking. Some states do well on some measures, and bad on others. New Jersey, for example, is last on long-run solvency and second to last on budget solvency, but ranks 24 on service-level solvency.

Nearly bankrupt Illinois is in the bottom in all but one of the five individual measures — service-level solvency.

https://www.investors.com/politics/commentary/best-run-states-are-all-solidly-republican-worst-run-mostly-democratic-study-finds/

Posted on by — 1 Comment

New Jersey playing the lottery with pension plan

Lottery_theridgewoodblog

July 9, 2017 at 3:00 AM

One day before the June 30 budget deadline, when all eyes were focused on the controversial Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey bill, state lawmakers pulled off a remarkable sleight of hand.

Quickly and quietly, with little to no outside analysis, the Legislature approved Gov. Chris Christie’s unprecedented plan to transfer the New Jersey Lottery’s assets and revenue stream to the beleaguered state pension system, which has the largest unfunded liability in the nation.

A report by Municipal Market Analytics called the governor’s plan “magic” and said it was “an accounting scheme (and gamble) for optics and budgetary relief.”

Just like that, the pension system could claim an additional value of $13.535 billion — the value the bill put on the lottery — and book a corresponding reduction in its unfunded liability.

Just like that, the pension system was promised approximately $1 billion a year in revenue from the lottery.

https://www.njbiz.com/article/20170709/NJBIZ01/170709940/editorial-new-jersey-playing-the-lottery-with-pension-plan

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Study: N.J. is the least patriotic state in America (again)

uncle_same_ridgewood_4th_of_July_parade _theridgewoodblog

BY BRIAN HICKEY
PhillyVoice Staff

There are a few ways to look at the “2017’s Most Patriotic States in America” study released by WalletHub on Tuesday.

One would be to frame it as an edict that the “least patriotic states voted for Hillary Clinton” as a conservative outlet did a few hours ago.

That’s all well and good, I suppose.

I choose, however, to see how Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey fared.

This isn’t to make a point about a Pennsylvania that voted for Donald Trump or a New Jersey that’s led by highly unpopular Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

It’s all about proximity. And, quite frankly, the results are disappointing.

Not only are all three in the bottom 10 states when “13 key indicators of patriotism” were tabulated. But, for the second consecutive year, New Jersey is the least patriotic state in all the land.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/study-nj-least-patriotic-state-america-again/

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Bergen County, New Jersey, Man Sentenced To 46 Months In Prison For $1.5 Million Ponzi Scheme

Charles_Ponzi

June 25,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Lyndhurst NJ, A Lyndhurst, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for fraudulently obtaining over $1.5 million from approximately 100 victims prior to high-profile initial public offerings (IPOs), Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.

Omar Hafez, 25, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge William H. Walls to an information charging him one count of wire fraud. Judge Walls imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

From July 2014 through December 2015, Hafez operated an investment fraud scheme in which he and others created a number of entities, including Lotus Global. Several of these entities had websites and social media pages listing Hafez as the CEO and advertising themselves as successful wealth management companies.

In order to deceive victim investors, Hafez represented that he had access to shares of various companies prior to their initial public offerings and could use that access to provide significant profits to investors. However, bank records for accounts controlled by Hafez and certain Lotus Global entities revealed that none of the money provided by victim investors was used to purchase shares or invest in any of the pre-IPO companies.

Instead, Hafez used the funds for his own benefit, including several large purchases at luxury car dealerships, including an approximately $87,000 purchase at Prestige Motors, an approximately $24,160 purchase at Signature Car Collections, and an approximately $8,690 purchase at Dream Cars National LLC. In addition, Hafez purchased numerous luxury goods, including an approximately $17,250 purchase at Tourneau Inc., an approximately $5,613 purchase at Louis Vuitton, and an approximately $3,000 purchase at Tiffany & Co., as well as airplane tickets and hotel stays for a single trip to Chicago totaling approximately $10,000.

Hafez employed numerous strategies to maintain the victims’ confidence and induce further investments. For example, bank records showed that Hafez occasionally used money from earlier victim investors in order to pay future victims “lulling” payments. In classic Ponzi scheme fashion, Hafez lied to investors and told them that these payments were returns on their investments.

As funds began to run out and investors demanded their money with increasing frequency, Hafez provided certain victim investors with checks for thousands of dollars, claiming that they represented investment returns or a refund of initial investments. When victim investors attempted to deposit or cash these checks, the checks were rejected due to insufficient funds because Hafez and others had already spent the victims’ money.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Walls sentenced Hafez to three years of supervised release. Hafez must also pay restitution of $1.5 million.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Co-working takes off in suburban New Jersey

Serendipity Labs Opens Downtown Ridgewood, Coworking Space

Shared work spaces skew older in Garden State communities

Co-working companies are gaining a toehold in suburban New Jersey, fed by demand from members who have left the corporate world and large companies who want to provide employees flexibility.

While the co-working movement, led by industry giant WeWork, is established in cities across the world, it’s gaining momentum in the suburbs, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The typical suburban shared-office facility is under 15,000 square feet, and is usually targeted at an older audience than those co-working locations that lure millennials with beer and ping pong.

https://therealdeal.com/2017/06/19/co-working-takes-off-in-suburban-new-jersey/

Posted on by — 2 Comments

N.J.’s move to legalize marijuana has begun. Here’s all you need to know about it

POT-SMOKING-KID

Updated June 19, 2017
Posted June 19, 2017

By Susan K. Livio | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Although a topic in Trenton for three years, the campaign to legalize marijuana in New Jersey officially begins Monday when a Senate committee will discuss how the potentially billion-dollar  industry should be regulated.

So what will it take for you to be able to legally buy recreational pot in New Jersey?

Gov. Chris Christie is vehemently opposed to legalizing marijuana and he has six months left on his final term. And the election for governor will matter for supporters of legalizing pot: Democratic candidate Phil Murphy supports legalization but Republican candidate Kim Guadagno does not.

Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), the bill’s sponsor, said he wants to begin the discussion now to build support among his colleagues in the legislature and across the state.

“Now is the time to begin shaping New Jersey’s recreational marijuana program,” Scutari said. “We will have a new governor next year and we should be prepared to move forward with a program that ends the prohibition on marijuana and that treats our residents fairly and humanely.”

Here’s what you need to know about the road to legal pot in New Jersey.

Here’s what the legal pot bill would do

Scutari’s bill, (S3195) based on visits to Colorado’s thriving recreational program would:

Decriminalize marijuana possession of up to 50 grams “immediately” and allow people who have been arrested for pot possession to expunge their records;
Establish a Division of Marijuana Enforcement in the state Attorney General’s Office which would create the rules used to govern the legal market of growers and sellers;
Allow people to possess up to one ounce of dried marijuana, 16 ounces of edible products infused with cannabis, 72 ounces in liquid form and seven grams of marijuana “concentrate;
Impose a sales tax on recreational sales beginning at 7 percent in the first year, climbing to 10 percent in the second year and jumping five percent more each year until it reaches 25 percent. Taxes on medical marijuana would be abolished.
Give the five existing medical marijuana dispensary nonprofit groups first crack at selling recreational pot.

https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/06/njs_road_to_legal_marijuana_begins_here.html#incart_2box_nj-homepage-featured

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Home bakers in New Jersey stew over country’s last ban

baked_goods_theridgewoodblog

Home bakers in New Jersey stew over country’s last ban

By Josh Cornfield | AP June 18 at 12:09 PM

TRENTON, N.J. — There’s only one thing preventing baker Mandy Coriston from selling the Irish soda bread she makes from her great-grandmother’s recipe inside her old cast-iron skillets: She lives in New Jersey.

New Jersey is now the only state in the U.S. where people can’t sell home-baked goods after a Wisconsin court this month invalidated that state’s ban.

Wisconsin officials have said they may appeal the judge’s decision, but the state Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would allow home bakers to sell without a license.

A push by a group including Coriston to overturn New Jersey’s law has drawn plenty of supporters over the last eight years, but one state lawmaker has so-far blocked it from being considered because of concerns over public health issues.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/home-bakers-in-new-jersey-stew-over-countrys-last-ban/2017/06/18/138bc4ce-5440-11e7-840b-512026319da7_story.html?utm_term=.f19524357047

Posted on by — 2 Comments

New Jersey: Family’s Report Thwarts Pressure-Cooker Bomb Plot

pressure cooker

June 12, 2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Point Pleasant NJ, A Point Pleasant (Ocean County) man faces federal terrorism charges after a family member notified law enforcement of his erratic behavior—underscoring the role friends, relatives, and close associates play in countering violence. According to authorities, Gregory Lepsky plotted to build a pressure-cooker bomb and detonate it in New York City to “kill as many people as possible” in support of ISIS.

On February 21, a relative notified local law enforcement that Lepsky had a weapon and was going to kill the family dog. Officers discovered the dog alive, but with a large wound, and subsequently arrested Lepsky. According to the criminal complaint, Lepsky stated that he had stabbed the dog because, in his view of Islam, dogs are “dirty.” He also said he planned to kill his mother and praised ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

During the investigation, officers found a pressure cooker in Lepsky’s closet, as well as several books on jihad and suicide bombing. On May 5, federal prosecutors charged Lepsky with attempting to provide material support to ISIS, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.

Family members, peers, and close contacts may be the first to notice radical shifts in behavior and attitude, as well as unusual Internet activity. According to Western media reports, Islamic extremists are 71 percent more likely to “leak” their violent intentions to friends, relatives, or other associates, compared to 53 percent of right-wing extremists, such as neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

The family member who contacted Point Pleasant police first noticed a change in Lepsky’s behavior in December, stating he began expressing radical Islamic rhetoric in his text messages and social media posts. In one message, Lepsky stated, “Allah (the most exalted) commands us Muslims to fight against the desbelivers [sic] until there is none left!”

We encourage all partners to report suspicious activity to local law enforcement and to NJOHSP’s Counterterrorism Watch by calling 866-4-SAFE-NJ (866-472-3365) or e-mailing [email protected].

Posted on by — 1 Comment

The stoned minority might help elect the next New Jersey governor

POT-SMOKING-KID

Marijuana legalization is coming close to happening in New Jersey.

By Jeff Edelstein, The Trentonian

POSTED: 06/08/17, 11:08 AM EDT | UPDATED: 1 DAY AGO

And just like a puff of smoke (drifting out of a dorm room and blown through a empty paper towel roll with a dryer sheet stuffed in the end), marijuana prohibition in New Jersey is wafting away.

It feels almost ridiculous, knowing this, but it’s true: Democratic candidate Phil Murphy favors full, Colorado-style legalization, and he’s also the presumptive favorite to win the governor’s seat. (For the record, Republican candidate Kim Guadagno has stated she’s in favor of considering decriminalizing small amounts of pot, which is nice, but isn’t the full kettle.)

Anyway, I posited on Wednesday that marijuana might end up being a key issue in the race for governor. After all, nearly 400,000 adult New Jerseyans smoke weed at least once a month, according to a study done by New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform and New Jersey Policy Perspective. That amount of people could tip an election.

The question than becomes: Am I nuts, or could this really happen? Could the stoned minority be the difference-maker in the 2017 New Jersey governor’s election?

https://www.trentonian.com/opinion/20170608/jeff-edelstein-the-stoned-minority-might-help-elect-the-next-new-jersey-governor