Pallone to Sessions: Let the People of NJ Decide Path Forward on Marijuana Legalization

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2018

Washington, DC - Today, Congressmen Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking that the Justice Department allow the people of New Jersey to choose its path forward on marijuana legalization. On January 4th, Attorney General Jeff Sessions issued a memo rescinding guidance given during the Obama administration which shifted strict enforcement of federal cannabis prohibition toward a more accommodating approach for jurisdictions that have enacted laws legalizing marijuana. In November, Phil Murphy was elected Governor of New Jersey, after making marijuana legalization part of his platform.

“Residents of states like Colorado, California, Oregon, and others that have moved to legalize marijuana should have the peace of mind to know that they can engage in legal intrastate commerce without the threat of federal enforcement actions,” said Pallone. “In New Jersey, a majority of voters strongly support a campaign proposal by Governor Phil Murphy to legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. New Jerseyans understand the important implications legalizing marijuana would have for our state.”



January 23, 2018

The Honorable Jeff Sessions
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530


Dear Attorney General Sessions:

I write to urge the Department of Justice to retract the memorandum it released on January 4 regarding federal cannabis enforcement policies. The memorandum rescinded previous guidance documents that were issued by former U.S. Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole on August 29, 2013, colloquially known as the “Cole Memo,” which shifted strict enforcement of federal cannabis prohibition toward a more accommodating approach for "jurisdictions that have enacted laws legalizing marijuana in some form and that have also implemented strong and effective regulatory and enforcement systems to control the cultivation, distribution, sale and possession of marijuana." The Justice Department must provide clear direction that balances rule of law with the overwhelming support for legalized marijuana in the 30 states and territories that have moved in that direction.

Rescinding the Cole Memo would once again apply federal law to the sale, purchase, and possession of marijuana that occurs entirely within the boundaries of states that have legalized such commerce, undermining the Tenth Amendment rights of the American people. Residents of states like Colorado, California, Oregon, and others that have moved to legalize marijuana should have the peace of mind to know that they can engage in legal intrastate commerce without the threat of federal enforcement actions. In the words of President Trump on October 29, 2015, “In terms of marijuana and legalization, I think that should be a state issue, state-by-state.”

In New Jersey, a majority of voters strongly support a campaign proposal by Governor Phil Murphy to legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use. New Jerseyans understand the important implications legalizing marijuana would have for our state. For instance, they understand that the inclusion of marijuana in the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 and the subsequent “war on drugs” that began under President Richard Nixon have disproportionately impacted impoverished communities and communities of color. Reinstating the failed policies of the past is not the way forward.

The implications of the Justice Department’s January 4 decision on the independent rights of states are clear. I urge you to reverse this decision and to uphold the Cole Memo, which would allow states and territories to enforce their own marijuana laws without unnecessary federal interference.

Sincerely,



FRANK PALLONE, JR.
Member of Congress

Letter: Marijuana Legalization under Murphy

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:

Dear Editor,

It is great that Democrat Phil Murphy was elected Governor and cannabis is going to be legalized in New Jersey, but let's make it work for everyone. There are some flaws in the current proposal, like the too-high age requirement and unfair home grow ban.

A suggested 21 age requirement is not based on science (in other states 21 was simply a marketing gimmick for ballot initiatives to regulate like alcohol), and unlike alcohol, Federal Highway Funds are NOT tied to a 21 marijuana age. Making pot legal while burdening 18-20 year olds with a serious adult drug conviction for possession, that will screw up things like student aid, housing, and jobs is wrong. The marijuana age should be no higher than 18, ideally 16, as cannabis is a safe substance that one cannot overdose on.

Also, it is crazy to say we will legalize cannabis, but not allow people to grow it at home. We've seen what a scam liquor licenses are in New Jersey, and the people don't want to see a reefer business that is a similar monopoly. Let the people grow their own stone with legal home growing.

Also, does anyone remember Jon Peditto, the Ocean County personal pot grower who is still rotting in prison for 8 years? What about activist Edward Forchion aka NJ Weedman facing trumped up charges? Pardon them ASAP, let them go home, and end the injustice.

Gov. Murphy must empower the poor, youth, women, and minorities to grow the industry using a non-profit collective ownership model, and ask the NAACP, ACLU, Coalition for Medical Marijuana NJ and Garden State Equality for advice on licensing and affirmative action.

Legal pot should mean jobs, business opportunity, and kush smoke for everyone, not just the rich, corporate, white, and male. The current dispensary owners all look like Tony Soprano and have political connections with the Christie Administration. We need a diverse cannabis marketplace for all.

Rev. Dr. Eric Hafner
Former Congressional Candidate (HI-2)
Toms River, New Jersey and Mountain View, Hawai'i

Letter: The Legalization of Cannabis Must Empower Communities

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog.


Dear Editor,

Cannabis has no more of a social stigma today than a glass of wine, but it appears the State of New Jersey has smoked the marijuana memo.

While many other states have legalized, New Jersey is still arresting adults for small amounts of pot, and has a failed medical program that is the most expensive in the nation.

Legalization of cannabis is expected if Democrat Phil Murphy is elected as Governor, but we still most work to create a system that will empower communities victimized by the racist war on drugs, and build an industry that favors union labor. Groups like the ACLU, NAACP, Labor Unions and Garden State Equality must be part of the legislative process.

I urge candidate Phil Murphy to pledge to build a cannabis industry that puts social justice, union labor, and our diverse communities before big business.

Rev. Dr. Eric Hafner
Toms River

Booker: America should legalize marijuana

For decades, the failed War on Drugs has locked up millions of nonviolent drug offenders, especially for marijuana-related offenses. This has wasted human potential, torn apart families and communities, and squandered massive sums of taxpayer dollars.

Currently, over half of all drug arrests in the United States are due to marijuana—the majority for simple possession. Police now arrest more Americans for simple possession of marijuana than for all violent crimes—murder, sexual assault, and armed robbery—combined.

It’s time the federal government follow the lead of many of our states and our nation’s capital, and begin to take meaningful steps to reverse mass incarceration and address the gross injustices of the failed War on Drugs. It’s time to legalize marijuana in the United States of America.

That’s why I’ve introduced the Marijuana Justice Act of 2017, a bill that if passed will legalize marijuana at the federal level, and incentivize states to legalize it at the state level. The bill would also retroactively apply to those serving time in federal prison for marijuana-related offenses, providing for a judge’s review of their marijuana sentence.

Our federal marijuana laws have not made our country safer—in fact, by enforcing our existing marijuana laws on predominantly low-level, nonviolent offenders, police are forced to take away precious resources from fighting violent crime in our communities.

Marijuana-related offenses are also not enforced equally across race and class. It’s a disturbing fact that while blacks and whites use marijuana at similar rates, African Americans are almost 4 times more likely to be arrested for possession of marijuana.

The War on Drugs has failed all Americans, and has had a disproportionately devastating impact on Americans of color and the poor. Legalizing marijuana across our country is the right thing to do for public safety, and will reduce our overflowing prison population.

If you agree that our marijuana laws have been ineffective and that we can make our criminal justice system more just by legalizing marijuana, please join me in supporting the Marijuana Justice Act of 2017.

Thank you for your support.

Cory

Letter: Some Good Ideas For Marijuana Legalization

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:

Dear Editor,

New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform has some good ideas as far as legalizing marijuana, but if New Jersey legalizes pot, the state seems to be poised to implement a far too limited an attempt at legalization.

A proposed 21+ marijuana age is the result of political marketing strategists in western states that had already had extensive medical marijuana programs, seeking the most acceptable age to voters with a concept of comparing marijuana to alcohol.

Cannabis isn’t alcohol and the backers behind the coalition, are throwing under the bus 18-20 year olds who are considered adults by the criminal justice system and most likely to lose things like student aid due to a drug conviction. Even if marijuana is legal for adults over 21, those under that arbitrary marker will still draconian consequences.

New Jersey should legalize marijuana for all adults and while we may seek to prevent minors from purchasing in retail stores, we should not criminalize possession by minors. New Jersey does not criminalize minors possessing tobacco, a far more harmful age restricted substance.

As far as opponents to marijuana legalization, like drug war profiteers Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (R-Monmouth) and Governor Christie, they should be chased out of New Jersey politics and put in the place where they belong: the past.



Eric Hafner
Toms River