Pubdate: Sat, 07 May 2016 Source: Asbury Park Press (NJ) Copyright: 2016 Asbury Park Press Contact: http://www.app.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/26 Author: Lawrence S. Katz CHRISTIE MUST STAND FIRM AGAINST LEGALIZED MARIJUANA Congratulations to the Press on its recent series of articles concerning New Jersey's growing heroin epidemic. They follow the Press' past editorials opposing legalization of recreational marijuana. Convincing Democrat legislators in Trenton to abandon their lust for marijuana-generated tax dollars would be a life-saving decision. It is actually blood money and should never be used to redistribute New Jersey's wealth. Why state legislators led by Sen. Nick Scutari, D-Middlesex-Union-Somerset, are anxious to entice our young into lives that include narcotics is a mystery. This, is in spite of medical professionals and statistics that prove experimentation with marijuana leads to heroin and other hard-core addiction. They are also oblivious to psychologists who insist declaring recreational marijuana legal will imply, especially to the young, that it is safe. Approval is also a dangerous recommendation for the weak and poor in disadvantaged areas. In reality, it could be a future death sentence for many of our state's residents. Ironically, the Press' series of articles coincided with recent changes in Denver, Colorado. There, experience with legalization actually led to increased addiction by youngsters. Public officials had to reduce the number of authorized marijuana sales outlets and some now call legalization a big mistake. That's why Gov. Chris Christie should continue strongly opposing legalization. New Jersey needs an energetic campaign to prevent legalization of recreational marijuana. Ideally, it should include all religious denominations, businesses, medical professionals, educational participants and both major political organizations. The goal should be "life, not death" for our young. Lawrence S. Katz Tinton Fall - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom