Coalition plans push to legalize marijuana in NJ
Several public safety, medical, civil rights and criminal justice reform groups have formed a coalition whose goal is to have New Jersey legalize marijuana.
The New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform group announced its plans during a news conference Wednesday in Newark. They want the state to legalize, tax and regulate marijuana distribution.
Noting that law enforcement makes tens of thousands of arrests every year for marijuana possession, coalition members say pot arrests clog courts and distract law-enforcement officials from more serious crimes.
Gov. Chris Christie has repeatedly said he opposes legalizing marijuana and would veto any bill that came to his desk on the matter. Some law-enforcement officials in New Jersey have also expressed skepticism about the idea.
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