Pubdate: Tue, 17 Nov 2015
Source: Trentonian, The (NJ)
Copyright: 2015 The Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.trentonian.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1006
Author: Michael Catalni, The Associated Press

BATTLE OVER LEGALIZING MARIJUANA TAKING SHAPE IN NEW JERSEY

TRENTON (AP) - New Jersey's Democratic-controlled Legislature took a 
step toward a showdown with Gov. Chris Christie over legalized 
marijuana on Monday.

A state Senate panel convened a hearing on legalizing the drug, and a 
leading Democratic lawmaker says it's time to bring it out of an 
underground economy by legalizing, taxing and regulating it.

"I believe our state should lead the way," Democratic state Sen. 
Nicholas Scutari said. Scutari, who has authored a bill that would 
legalize, tax and regulate marijuana for people over 21, sketched a 
scenario in which the drug comes out of what he called a "black 
market" and gives way to a billion-dollar industry.

But the issue comes as Christie, who is seeking the GOP nomination 
for president, has repeatedly underscored his opposition to 
legalizing marijuana, viewing it as a gateway to the abuse of other 
drugs. But he is in favor of treating addicted drug users.

"As a former federal prosecutor, I've been the most outspoken person 
in this race on this issue," Christie said in a recent interview with 
Laura Ingraham. "I am completely, 100 percent opposed to drug 
legalization; that's different than being for treatment."

Advocates of legalization on Monday cast the issue as a civil rights 
question that could help ease the disproportionate arrest of black 
residents. Udi Ofer, the executive director of the American Civil 
Liberties Union-New Jersey, alluded to video of Christie talking 
passionately about getting drug addicts help and said there's a 
disconnect in the governor's positions.

"Here we have a governor who talks about how the war on drugs has 
failed," Ofer said. "Yet we have seen arrests increase over time. 
There's an inconsistency there."

Christie has been a longtime advocate for drug treatment and certain 
judicial reforms. Under a program he championed, nonviolent 
drug-addicted offenders in the state can be sentenced to mandatory 
participation in drug treatment programs rather than get jail time.

The witnesses at the hearing, where there was an occasional 
interruption by applause from the public, were mostly supportive of 
legalization. Republican lawmakers questioned why opponents were not 
invited to the hearing. Scutari said lawmakers would hear from 
opponents at a later hearing.

Marijuana has been legalized for all uses in Colorado, Washington, 
Oregon and Alaska and for medical use in nearly 20 others, including 
New Jersey.

New Jersey's medical marijuana law is among the most restrictive, 
with patients and doctors required to register with the state and 
each pay a $200 fee.

There are five dispensaries. A sixth is pending.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom