This April 20, stoners across New Jersey will rejoice as they pull out their lighters and prepare to spend an ungodly amount of money on snacks in the middle of the night. After years of apprehension, marijuana was legalized in New Jersey by Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), opening the door to the recreational usage of the substance to all over 21.
This landmark decision was celebrated not only due to the many highs it sparked but also because it marked the end to at least one segment of the war on drugs.
Field experts will teach students about the legal status of medical cannabis; the human body’s endocannabinoid system and cannabis as medicine; the basics of cultivation, harvesting and processing and the different products available in New Jersey and elsewhere; and the ins and outs of working in a medical cannabis dispensary in New Jersey including rules and regulations of product handling and patient interaction.
It’s no secret: cannabis is the talk of the nation, and in New Jersey “marijuana” is all the rage: from the taxes it will be bring into the state, to how many mergers will happen before a single plant is grown, everyone wants to be involved in this new, exciting opportunity.
One topic that has not been given enough attention by politicians is the potential creation of thousands of jobs through the expansion of medical cannabis, and—fingers crossed—adult-use (also known as recreational) cannabis.
Rutgers University experts provide commentary and analysis on proposed legislation that could make New Jersey the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana use.
The following experts, at Rutgers University–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (RBHS) comment on potential economic, philosophic law, political and healthcare impacts of the recreational marijuana legalization proposal:
"This is a growing industry and we want to prepare our students from a variety of academic viewpoints," Ekaterina Sedia, a biology professor and the program coordinator for cannabis studies, said in a statement.
Stockton Spokeswoman Diane D'Amico said the 25 students participating in the program will take a cannabis law course this fall, followed by a class on medical marijuana in New Jersey in the spring.