As for recreational pot, Sweeney has said he will now push for a voter referendum on the issue.
The move to a referendum makes sense. Recent polls have consistently shown the majority of Garden State voters support recreational weed. A Monmouth University poll in February showed 62 percent of New Jersey adults supported legalizing small amounts of recreational marijuana while just 32 percent opposed it. And of 10 states that have legalized recreational pot only Vermont did so without a referendum. However, voters in Ohio, Arizona and North Dakota have all rejected such measures.
New Jersey’s pot supporters know the risks associated with a referendum. That’s why the referendum will more than likely take place in 2020 instead of 2019.
The 2019 election will likely have a low turnout considering ballots will be topped by General Assembly candidates. Weed advocates figure a light turnout will feature a high percentage of older voters.