Senate President Steve Sweeney and Gov. Phil Murphy have been hard pressed to gin up 21 votes for marijuana legalization in the legislature’s upper chamber, but that may change if they manage to flip one or two Republican votes.
A number of Democratic senators — including, among others, Sens. Brian Stack, Shirley Turner, Paul Sarlo, Nicholas Sacco and former Gov. Dick Codey — remain undecided on marijuana. Other Democrats, like Sen. Ron Rice, oppose legalization outright.
If Democratic leaders are able to secure a yes vote from Republicans close to the center — Sens. Kristin Corrado, Kip Bateman and Declan O’Scanlon are possible targets — they may save themselves significant pains down the line.