Councilwoman Cindy Matute-Brown hosted a forum about medical marijuana at West Orange High School on Sept. 25, providing the public an opportunity to hear from panelists about the updated state medical marijuana laws and how they will affect zoning laws in West Orange. On the panel was Mark Moon, an attorney for the township; Monica Taing, a doctor of pharmacy; Hugh O’Beirne, president of the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association; and Charlana McKeithen, executive director of Garden State NORML, a regional chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.
A driving desire to steer control over a multi-billion dollar industry has forced politicians to withdraw marijuana legalization legislation in Trenton, but advocates from the ACLU-NJ and allies say they will redouble their efforts to pass a bill that places racial and social justice at the fore.
Entrepreneurs are watching for the billion-dollar marijuana industry to emerge if pot becomes legal, an economic opportunity unrivaled in modern Newe Jersey history. Politicians are hoping to capitalize on the action, which has gummed up the process of doing justice.
“It’s great to see a government here in New Jersey that understands the need for reforming our marijuana laws and medical marijuana program. This will help patients that need it most in the short term as the legislature continues to sort through and craft the adult-use legalization law,” New Jersey NORML Executive Director Evan Nison told Cannabis Now.
NORML’s national leadership concurred with their state affiliate.