Marijuana legalization takes small steps forward
Published by May 9, 2018 | By Dan Papa
Phil Murphy has been governor of NJ for ninety-one days thus far. One of his biggest campaign promises was to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. State Sen. Nicholas Scutari (Dist-22) believes that they will have it legalized by the end of the year.
Murphy has updated the medical marijuana conditions list that determines whether or not N.J. citizens may obtain a medical marijuana card. According to Patch.com, “five new categories of medical conditions – anxiety, migraines, Tourette’s syndrome, chronic pain related to musculoskeletal disorders and chronic visceral pain– will be eligible for marijuana prescription, according to state officials.”
Other changes were made as well including, “The department also has made recommendations to change state law to include increasing the monthly product limit to four ounces, allowing hospice patients to have an unlimited supply and allowing adult patients to have access to edibles.
This could be a very big step towards legalizing recreationally legal pot in the state. More people that need it will likely be able to gain simpler access to a medical card to ease their conditions.
Cannabis. Photo courtesy of Creative Commons.
Just three days ago in Edison, NJ, a public assembly hearing was held to look at the pros and cons of marijuana. Reported by Mycentraljersey.com, “Linda Dorsey-Agudosi” spoke at the hearing. She had a “life-changing car accident in 2008” and now takes a “product called Cannatonic, which is high in Cannabidiol, or CBD, and low in Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.”
Agudosi said, “When I take a step back and I take a look at where I was with prescription drugs, I’m just grateful that I was educated and introduced to medical marijuana. I’m more functional, I’m alert.”
With a town such as Edison holding public hearings, giving people a chance to come and speak their minds on the potential legalization of marijuana in Jersey is fair game. Some other news for states that have already legalized marijuana and future states comes from President Trump’s desk.
April 13th, NJ.com reporter, Jonathan D. Salant said, “President Donald Trump has endorsed congressional efforts to protect states that have legalized marijuana from federal action. U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., said Friday that Trump made the commitment in a phone call. In return, Gardner, a member of Senate leadership as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said he would no longer block confirmation of Trump’s nominees to several Justice Department posts.”
Nine NJ towns so far have said no to pot in their town according to Payton Guion from NJ.com, March 25th. There is still a long way to go for legal weed in NJ. State Sen. Nicholas Scutari (Dist-22) believes that they will have it legalized by the end of the year.
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