Murphy on Pot Legalization Implementation: What’s the Rush?
Voters overwhelmingly backed legalizing recreational marijuana more than a year ago – November, 2020 – but the change still hasn’t been implemented.
Why not? Arizona did it in three months.
At least that’s what one of the callers said during Thursday night’s “Ask the Governor” show on News 12.
Phil Murphy, a big proponent of legalized pot for social justice dating back to his first run for office in 2017, said the state doesn’t want to rush things.
He said he was not privy to what’s happening in Arizona, but here in New Jersey, “We want to do it right.”
How long it will take to get it right is undetermined, but the governor said, “It’s certainly going to come this year.”
Thursday night was obviously Murphy’s first time fielding questions from residents since he began his second term on Tuesday.
He was also asked about infrastructure.
The Biden Administration has begun hyping the recently passed trillion dollar-plus infrastructure bill, which is a big deal.
And one of the “big deal” projects for New Jersey is a new rail tunnel under the Hudson.
Murphy said there was big news today on that score. He said the feds have given the tunnel a high rating, meaning that its path to funding and construction will be accelerated.
Answering a general question about the bill, the governor said he was looking forward to great things.
“You’ll see transformational stuff,” he said, pointing out that New Jersey benefits disproportionately from federal infrastructure money because of its population density.
The pandemic can not be ignored.
Asked about mask requirements, Murphy said there is no state rule that masks be worn indoors. But he said it is strongly recommended that waiters and waitresses wear masks in restaurants.
Mask wearing often sparks political division and nothing has been as divisive as masks for kids in school.
On that, Murphy was a bit optimistic.
Reiterating what he said earlier, the governor said it was a “really good shot” that the school mask mandate will be lifted this school year.
Cannabis consumers deserve and demand equal rights and protections under our laws that are currently afforded to the drinkers of far more dangerous and deadly, yet perfectly legal, widely accepted, endlessly advertised and even glorified as an All-American pastime, alcohol.
Plain and simple!
Legalize Nationwide Federally Now!
It’s time for us, the majority of The People to take back control of our national cannabis policy. By voting OUT of office any and all politicians who very publicly and vocally admit to having an anti-cannabis, prohibitionist agenda! Time to vote’em all OUT of office. Period. Plain and simple.
Politicians who continue to demonize Cannabis, Corrupt Law Enforcement Officials who prefer to ruin peoples lives over Cannabis possession rather than solve real crimes who fund their departments toys and salaries with monies acquired through cannabis home raids, seizures and forfeitures, and so-called “Addiction Specialists” who make their income off of the judicial misfortunes of our citizens who choose cannabis, – Your actions go against The Will of The People and Your Days In Office Are Numbered! Find new careers before you don’t have one.
The People have spoken! Get on-board with Cannabis Legalization Nationwide, or be left behind and find new careers. Your choice.
The “War on Cannabis” has been a complete and utter failure. It is the largest component of the broader yet equally unsuccessful “War on Drugs” that has cost our country over a trillion dollars.
Instead of The United States wasting Billions upon Billions more of our yearly tax dollars fighting a never ending “War on Cannabis”, lets generate Billions of dollars, and improve the deficit instead. Especially now, due to Covid-19. It’s a no brainer.
The Prohibition of Cannabis has also ruined the lives of many of our loved ones. In numbers greater than any other nation, our loved ones are being sent to jail and are being given permanent criminal records. Especially, if they happen to be of the “wrong” skin color or they happen to be from the “wrong” neighborhood. Which ruin their chances of employment for the rest of their lives, and for what reason?
Cannabis is much safer to consume than alcohol. Yet do we lock people up for choosing to drink?
Let’s end this hypocrisy now!
The government should never attempt to legislate morality by creating victim-less cannabis “crimes” because it simply does not work and costs the taxpayers a fortune.
Cannabis Legalization Nationwide is an inevitable reality that’s approaching much sooner than prohibitionists think and there is nothing they can do to stop it!
Legalize Nationwide! Support Each and Every Cannabis Legalization Initiative!
Regarding legalized pot…but here in New Jersey, “We want to do it right.” Outside of picking taxpayers’ pockets, NJ does nothing right. This should’ve been wrapped up 3 years ago. The whole thing points to dysfunction in the Democrat legislature and Murphy’s poor leadership, emphasis on the latter.
And now we’ll sit around waiting for some commission of appointed hacks to figure out how best to screw it up. Of course their regulations will result in a long, painful, and expensive implementation. The politically connected will get theirs first. The perpetual victim class will cry about not getting enough. Then the legislature will feel compelled to jump back in. On and on it will go.
“It’s certainly going to come this year.” I’ll believe it when I see it. Major PHAIL for Phil and the legislature.