Pubdate: Wed, 25 May 2016 Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) Copyright: 2016 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc Contact: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/340 Author: Jan Hefler $300M FOR N.J. FROM POT? Advocates Say Recreational Use Would Pay Off. New Jersey would gain at least $300 million a year in taxes if it followed the lead of four other states and legalized marijuana for recreational use, according to a report released Tuesday by New Jersey Policy Perspective and New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform. The revenue projection is based on imposing an eventual 25 percent sales tax on consumers, who would have to be at least 21 years old. The organizations represent a coalition of advocacy groups working for legalization in New Jersey. They analyzed available data on the number of people who purchase the drug illegally in New Jersey, and examined the experiences of states that recently approved legalization. "The lessons from around the country are loud and clear: Marijuana legalization makes fiscal sense and it makes practical sense," said Policy Perspective policy analyst Brandon McKoy, who coauthored the report with Ari Rosmarin, public policy director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey. The coalition said legalization also would stimulate business, create jobs, and eliminate the cost of enforcing marijuana-possession laws that it says are unfair and unnecessary. More than 24,000 individuals are arrested in New Jersey for marijuana possession each year, with African Americans being penalized three times as often as Caucasians despite similar usage rates, the group said. The tax proposed in the report would start at 5 percent the first year, then rise to 15 percent the next year and finally be set at 25 percent, which is comparable to Colorado's 27.9 percent tax. The report projects about 343,100 New Jersey residents and about 100,000 Pennsylvania and New York residents would purchase marijuana at a legal marketplace in New Jersey. Besides Colorado, the other states that allow recreational marijuana are Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. The District of Columbia also has legalized it, but only for personal use, not for sale. Two years ago, State Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D., Union) introduced the state's first bill to legalize marijuana. But it was not brought to the floor for a vote and expired in December. An identical bill in the Assembly was introduced this year. Scutari said Tuesday that he plans to visit Colorado next month to meet with officials and industry representatives to discuss their program, and will introduce a new bill in the Senate this summer. Scutari said he would like to expedite its launch. "We would like to be the first on the East Coast. That's why we would like to get out in front of it. ... We need the money," he said. Gov. Christie has repeatedly said he would veto any legalization bill. He has said that he believes marijuana is a gateway drug that could put children and others at risk. His representative did not respond to an email Tuesday asking for comment on the report. Coalition members say they will continue to lobby for passage, since Christie's term will end after next year. They cite a 2015 Rutgers-Eagleton poll that found 58 percent of New Jerseyans support legalization. New Jersey allows medical marijuana to be sold only to patients with certain ailments, and they must obtain physician approval. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom