With word coming from Trenton that lawmakers and Gov. Phil Murphy might try again this year to legalize recreational marijuana, state Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (R-13) this week restated her opposition to the idea.
“I’ve been pretty vocal about it,” she said. “I’m a ‘no’ on the legalization of marijuana.”
Last week, she attended a marijuana policy summit in Denver, Colorado, sponsored by the National Foundation for Women Legislators, of which she is the chairwoman. The two-day event, drawing lawmakers from around the country, explored different marijuana-related topics, including public safety.
“Nothing in the summit I was just at changed my mind,” she said.
In explaining her opposition, she said she did not think the financial windfall that New Jersey would get from taxing marijuana, projected at $300 million by proponents, “is going to be as great as we believe it is.”
She also raised concern about the societal impacts.
“And studies have shown that if you have an addictive personality, you’re going to be addicted to whatever it is, if it’s drugs or it’s gambling or it’s food,” she said. “So I don’t want to open that door for folks.”
Gov. Murphy, a Democrat, has advocated for legalizing marijuana. In a 2018 speech, he said black people are arrested for marijuana-related offenses at a higher rate, “even though rates of marijuana use are similar among races.”
DiMaso offered support for a step short of legalization.
“I don’t believe that it’s a social justice issue, either,” she said. “If it is, then just decriminalize it. You don’t have to legalize it. You can decriminalize small amounts.”
State Sen. Declan J. O’ Scanlon Jr. (R-13) weighed in on the topic this week as well.
“Well, I’ve been very clear that I’m willing to talk about it and consider voting for it,” he said. “But it would have to be done while addressing the concerns of those who are hesitant.”
He said all of the revenue generated from legalization would have to go to “items that will reduce our structural deficit.”