The New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, has made some comments about the medical marijuana program in the state that hasn’t been well received. This has displeased lawmakers so much so that they took their sentiments a step further. The lawmakers endorsed a resolution that said the Health Department, under Governor Christie’, put “arbitrary and unnecessary” limitations on the medical marijuana program. The marijuana trade is changing; marijuana delivery, other suppliers and stakeholders are looking forward to the legalization of Pot
Christie Calls it ‘Blood Money’
The lawmakers made that resolution, named the ACR224 a day after Christie’s comment. The Governor condemned the legalization of marijuana that would gain tax revenue; he called it ‘blood money.’ That may be Christie’s opinion, however, tax revenue from marijuana delivery and sales can be used for good in the state. Colorado legalized the cannabis drug for over a year now. The benefits have been quite good for the state. The state gained $53 million in tax revenue from marijuana sales. Also, the governor’s budget office estimate that Colorado will collect $184 million in the first 18-months of pot sales. $40 million to public school construction, $85 million on youth prevention and substance abuse treatment, $12.4 million on public health, $3 million on law enforcement and public safety and almost $2 million on industry oversight, according to money.cnn.com. This just shows how growing the marijuana industry can provide much needed benefits. More recent reports show that Colorado also generated $2.35 million for schools from marijuana sales.
More importantly the medical marijuana benefits are plenty. Pot is used to relieve a wide number of illnesses and diseases. There’s marijuana cancer treatment, medical marijuana for migraines and a host of other medical marijuana benefits.
Marijuana Delivery Status in New Jersey
The resolution now says that there are regulations that were passed by the Department of Health that are in opposition to that legislature that was enacted in 2009, this was the Compassionate Use of Medical Marijuana Act of 2009. This was also before Governor Christie took office. That legislature said that marijuana delivery by doctors who prescribed medical marijuana be part of a public database. It also stated that edible marijuana cannabis was prohibited and it could not be delivered to homes. Christie won’t have the chance to refute this resolution because it is not like other resolutions. It is a concurrent resolution. This means that if the Assembly and Senate pass it then the Department of Health will have to abide by what is stated.
With policies like this being pushed from the top marijuana legalization will happen in New Jersey, with any luck it will be sooner than later. Decriminalizing marijuana will only open up the industry to more possibilities.
Another Christie headline for the tabloids, not to mention he is blocking voters rights!! I thought we were living in a democratic country, its tough to believe that Christie has the power to basically Veto the ballot results and people’s wishes.
So wrong!! He needs to honor what the voters in his state, put in place
Christie is always good for a laugh but, now he is impeaching on voters rights.. Which is unacceptable
Thanks for the interesting read. I am a fan of Chris Christie, i considered him a viable candidate for President a while back. But, I cannot believe he is taking this stance against “Medical Marijuana”.. I have a couple of friends with serious conditions and “Medical Marijuana” is one of the few things that alleviate their symptoms. Not to mention, Marijuana is safer than alcohol. Some people try to demonize Marijuana in the same way people tried to demonize alcohol back in the prohibition era.. Progress cannot stand still!!!
Christie is always good for a nice laugh. Although this isn’t a joking matter. I agree Mindy, “progress cannot stand still”
Nice thinking. and thanks for presenting special topic. Wanna see more post like this.