MAYORS BARAKA AND FULOP SAY: STRENGTHEN SOCIAL JUSTICE PROVISIONS OF PENDING CANNABIS LEGISLATION AT PRESS CONFERENCE ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, AT 10 A.M., IN CITY HALL

Mayors will urge legislators to provide for conviction expungement, release from jail for those convicted on cannabis offenses as well as providing local equity licensing 

Newark, NJ-September 5, 2018– Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop will hold a press conference to release a letter they are sending to state legislators, urging them to strengthen social justice and equity measures in bills legalizing adult use of cannabis. The press conference will be held, Thursday, September 6, at 10 a.m., in the City Hall Press Room, located at 920 Broad Street

The mayors are asking that legislation include the full expungement of convictions for possession or distribution of any amount of cannabis, and the release of anyone presently incarcerated for such offenses.

The letter calls for enabling persons convicted of such offenses to be eligible for licenses to sell cannabis, creating “Impact Zones” to train residents in the financing and operations of cannabis businesses, and to provide for local equity in owning cannabis businesses.

The two mayors also seek to give municipalities the authority to prohibit or decide how many cannabis licenses are appropriate for their communities, to gain a share of tax revenues generated by the sales, and also use those revenues make investments in workforce development and training opportunities for youth, young adults, mental health and trauma care and preservation of affordable housing.

WHO:            Mayor Ras J. Baraka

Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop

Other mayors who have signed the letter

WHEN:          Thursday, September 6

10 a.m. 

WHERE:       Newark City Hall Press Room

                        920 Broad Street, Newark

MEDIA NOTE:        Parking will be available in lots and streets in the area.