SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Cannabis activists in New Jersey are celebrating another milestone: Tens of thousands of arrests for marijuana possession have been avoided due to the legalization of adult-use cannabis.
Since New Jersey decriminalized marijuana three years ago, data shows about 100,000 people have avoided handcuffs in New Jersey for small amounts of marijuana possession, unlike some other states, according to Chris Goldstein, a regional organizer of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).
“We think that’s real cause to celebrate and a big stride forward for justice here in the Garden State,” said Goldstein. “Keep in mind, Pennsylvania is arresting 12,000 people every single year just for marijuana possession.”
He says that while the progress on decriminalization is cause for celebration, the next step is for Garden State legislators to legalize homegrown weed.
“New Jersey is one of the few states that have legalized both adult-use and medical cannabis but still prohibit home cultivation for everyone,” he said.
“Residents are paying some of the highest prices for cannabis in the country right now, and that’s because our market is so consolidated around just a few large corporations.”
Lawmakers in Trenton have said the prohibition on home growing was important to build the foundation of the legal marketplace, but Goldstein noted New York allows home cultivation — and the overall market isn’t suffering there.
This is an issue Goldstein maintains voters are passionate about, noting that the ballot question to legalize marijuana had more than 3 million “yes” votes. He urges legislators to take that enthusiasm into account ahead of any election.