Trenton – Senate Judiciary Chairman Nicholas Scutari and Senate President Steve Sweeney introduced two bills Thursday that collectively would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in New Jersey and vastly expand access to medical marijuana.
“These two pieces of legislation we introduced represent a concerted effort to put all the options on the table in an efficient, comprehensive manner,” said Senator Scutari (D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union) “The legislation to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use would eliminate the draconian laws and penalties currently in place and improve social justice issues in urban areas. Law-abiding adults will be able to partake legally and safely knowing exactly what they’re ingesting.
“The second bill combines the new recreational marijuana use initiative with measures that expand the existing medical marijuana law to widen its availability so that patients have unencumbered access to the full spectrum of relief it provides.”
“From a health and wellness standpoint, marijuana provides relief from a host of conditions,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Salem/Cumberland/ Gloucester). “By expanding its accessibility, we help New Jerseyans live life to its fullest. And by legalizing the possession of marijuana, we correct a great social injustice. Persons of color have been routinely targeted for marijuana possession. If we legalize marijuana, we end that practice while creating a mechanism for individuals convicted of low-level marijuana possession to have their records expunged.”