Most who spoke in the Assembly committee were in favor of legalization, while some others were opposed.
“Ideas have consequences, and bad ideas have victims. And legalizing recreational marijuana is a bad idea because it has a long track record of victims,” said Sean Hyland, of Family Policy Alliance New Jersey.
“The real reason behind all of this is because all the politicians are going to get all the money from all the blue suits behind me who work for all these organizations who think this is wonderful and they're going to donate to your campaign,” said Barbara Ames, of Morris Patriots.
Even some advocates pointed out what the constitutional amendment will not be able to do.
“People don't understand what they're voting on. There's no tax rate because there can't be. There is no racial or social justice set-asides because there can't be,” said Bill Caruso, of New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform. “We stand ready to work to get expungement reform done. In the meantime, we stand ready to get decriminalization - real decriminalization - done in the meantime.”