No one is laughing at Scutari now. Having also authored the bill that made medical marijuana legal in New Jersey in 2010, he's now the industry darling, and it shows in the amount of money lobbyists, cannabis companies and doctors have poured into his election campaigns.
In the last three years, the marijuana industry has contributed tens of thousands of dollars to Scutari and other elected officials who are leading the charge on legalization, according to data filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.
Scutari’s contributions come from various sources:
$1,000 from the Breakwater Treatment and Wellness Center medical marijuana dispensary in Cranbury;
$2,600 from the California-based website, Weedmaps Media, Inc.;
$5,000 from the NJ CannaBusiness Association’s political action committee.
Scutari said he appreciates the support; few people made contributions in a decade ago, when they thought his idea sounded outrageous. But, he says the dollars don't change where he stands.