State Senator From Bergen Calls NJ Marijuana Deal 'Shameful'

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A longtime state senator called officials' deal to legalize marijuana in New Jersey "shameful" and said it could lead to more drugged drivers on New Jersey roads.

Sen. Gerald Cardinale, a Republican representing New Jersey's 39th Legislative District, criticized the deal Tuesday a few hours after news broke of the agreement.

"The principle duty of government is to safeguard public health and safety," Cardinale said. "Legalizing marijuana for recreational use is a shameful abdication of that responsibility."

Cardinale referenced statements the New Jersey Statewide Association of Police Chiefs made in March opposing the legislation. The group was concerned that there is not enough data to be able to predict the potential impacts legalizing marijuana would have on drivers and residents. (See related: Final Deal On NJ Marijuana Legalization: Here's When It Will Come)

"In Colorado, marijuana-related traffic-fatalities have skyrocketed. This doesn’t just put marijuana users at risk. Innocent people who have never touched pot in their life can’t get on a Colorado highway anymore without fear of being hit by a drugged drive," Cardinale said. "This public safety crisis will be substantially worse in New Jersey, because we are the most densely populated and congested state in the nation."

Cardinale said the legislation should not be passed to satisfy " a popular movement." Laws should be made "based on sound reason and evidence," he said.

Cardinale serves on the state Senate's commerce and judiciary committees.

"I also believe that frankly, the social justice argument for marijuana legislation is utter 'b.s.,'" Cardinale said

Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Sen. Nicholas Scutari announced an agreement Tuesday on legislation to legalize adult-use marijuana in New Jersey. And getting marijuana offenses expunged will be part of it.

Lawmakers told Patch that a vote will likely be held on Monday, March 25 and Murphy will probably sign it into law that week. Don't expect it to be sold in stores for six months to a year, however. The regulatory process needs to be developed, lawmakers say.

Some lawmakers – including a few Democrats – still need to be swayed for the legislation to be passed, but Sweeney is confident that the vote, and approval, will happen.

Municipalities that are home to a wholesaler will receive the revenue from a 1 percent tax on the product within their jurisdiction, while municipalities that are home to a retailer will receive the revenue from a 3 percent tax on the product within their jurisdiction.

Adult-use marijuana will be governed by a Cannabis Regulatory Commission, composed of five members. Three members will be appointed by the governor, with the governor's initial appointments to serve terms of at least four years and not be subject to Senate confirmation.

Patch reporter Tom Davis contributed to this report.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com