Freeholder Walks Back Comment That Pot Is Worse Than Cocaine

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Ocean County Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little on Friday corrected himself after remarks he made Wednesday calling marijuana more addictive than cocaine drew criticism.

Little made the initial comparison as he introduced a resolution at Wednesday's Ocean County Board of Freeholders meeting opposing the legalized commercial sale of recreational marijuana, according to an Asbury Park Press report.

As Little introduced the resolution, he noted that marijuana is still listed as a Schedule I drug by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and is still a banned substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970. He then noted that cocaine is a Schedule II drug, and commented that the designation meant marijuana was more addictive.

Schedule II drugs are those that have a defined medical prescription use, according to the DEA.

"My February 7 comment comparing cocaine as less addictive than marijuana was inaccurate," Little said in the statement released Friday. "The federal Food and Drug Administration and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration define both Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances as drugs that have a high potential for abuse and potential for psychological and/or physical dependence."

"However, the FDA and the DEA make no specific reference about the addiction potential between Schedule I and Schedule II controlled substances," Little's statement said. "My comment was unclear and I regret the confusion."

"The overriding issue is very clear: under Federal Law it is illegal to possess, use, buy, sell, or cultivate marijuana in all United States jurisdictions, under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970," Little said. "The federal Controlled Substances Act defines cannabis as a “Schedule 1 drug” and is considered to have a high potential for abuse and physical or psychological dependency. The federal Drug Enforcement Agency’s list of Schedule 1 drugs includes, heroin, LSD, marijuana, mescaline, GHB, Ecstasy, psilocybin, methaqualone (Quaalude), Khat (Cathinone), Bath Salts (MDPV)."

"Whatever tax revenues the state may realize, there may be socio-economic, mental health, and dependency consequences that far exceed the economic benefit," Little said.

The resolution opposing the legalized commercial sale of recreational marijuana passed 4-0, the Asbury Park Press report said.

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