New Jersey Gubernatorial Candidates Need To Step Up For Cannabis Consumers (Op-Ed)

*“New Jersey’s cannabis consumers have a list of specific issues that
Sherrill and Ciattarelli could address… And we vote—so the candidates would
do well to stop by and say ‘high’ to us before Election Day.”*

*By Chris Goldstein, NORML*

The Garden State is having a quiet economic revolution with legal cannabis,
but both mainstream candidates for governor barely seem to be paying
attention.

Nearly three million voters turned out to the polls in 2020 to allow retail
sales of the plant. That ballot referendum won 67 percent approval and also
proved that New Jersey’s pro-weed voters aren’t all from one party. And
we’re all still out here, waiting for politicians to talk to us again.

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) wholeheartedly supports legalization and
has taken several major pro-cannabis actions while serving in Congress,
including voting to support the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and
Expungement Act (MORE). She has also supported removing cannabis from
Schedule I in the federal Controlled Substances Act specifically.

Earlier this year Sherrill voiced support for allowing personal cannabis
cultivation in New Jersey. That’s a big shift for a former federal
prosecutor.

During a campaign that has pulled focus, Sherrill still has plenty of room
to connect with voters on these popular issues.

Former state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli (R) was no fan of cannabis while
serving as a legislator. Back in 2021, during a previous campaign for
governor, Ciattarelli took a moment during a debate to note that he
outright opposed legalization of adult-use cannabis.

This year he softened his tone a bit by supporting a bi-partisan push to
allow medical cannabis home cultivation. But Ciattarelli stopped short of
allowing any adult to have a small garden. If he realizes how many older
voters blaze joints in front of the news every night, Ciattarelli might
still find time for Mary Jane.

There are more than 10,000 farms in New Jersey that together generate about
$1.5 billion annually in global retail sales. From blueberries to soybeans,
New Jersey’s agriculture currently represents the state’s third largest
market—behind only pharmaceuticals and tourism.

All those farms now have some serious competition. Last year fewer than 200
cannabis operations generated just over $1 billion in sales that were all
tendered within New Jersey’s borders.

Next year cannabis may surpass all other traditional farming as New
Jersey’s third largest market. The Garden State’s most popular flower will
likely stay in that spot for decades into the future. Think about that
while you pick some overpriced pumpkins.

New Jersey’s governor now plays an important role in our cannabis economy.
They appoint commissioners and get to adjust certain cannabis-related
taxes. Current Gov. Phil Murphy (D) made legalization, regulation and the
market launch a central effort of his two terms.

The next governor will also need to be directly involved to keep cannabis
growing and taxes flowing. For instance, I’ve always wanted to see just a
few of our most lucrative plants growing around Drumthwacket, the
governor’s official residence.

New Jersey’s cannabis consumers have a list of specific issues that
Sherrill and Ciattarelli could address.

Our medical cannabis program has been woefully neglected and deserves to be
regenerated under a new vision. Adults face brutally expensive prices on
regulated products compared to other states, continued prohibition on
personal cultivation and ongoing access concerns.

Plants don’t generate all those profits or taxes. Every penny comes from
the pockets of cannabis consumers like me. We’ve contributed nearly a
billion dollars in taxes in just a few years to New Jersey’s coffers.

And we vote—so the candidates would do well to stop by and say “high” to us
before Election Day.

*Chris Goldstein is based in Willingboro. He’s been a cannabis consumer
rights activist for thirty years and serves as a regional organizer for the
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws – NORML.*

The post New Jersey Gubernatorial Candidates Need To Step Up For Cannabis
Consumers (Op-Ed) appeared first on Marijuana Moment.