The newly passed law allows New Jersey residents older than 21 to possess marijuana, but it will also lead the way for regulated business, which is expected to be an economic booster in the state.
“I think it’s great,” said Ramapo student Kelly Brennan. “I hope it brings down property taxes a little because of how booming of a business it’s expected to be!”
Others are not quite as excited, because they feel the law has yet to address key factors of the social justice issues Gov. Phil Murphy so often says this will bolster. Gabriel Garcia, a junior at Rutgers University, replied that he hopes those incarcerated with minor marijuana offenses will now be released.
“This is only the first step,” Gov. Murphy tweeted in a response to AJ+. “Let’s keep moving toward social and racial equality.”
Black people are almost four times more likely to get arrested for marijuana possession than white people. While the governor has repeatedly shown his support for addressing racial disparities in arrests, he has yet to state how.