The New Jersey legislature has yet to move on measures to legalize marijuana in the state, but it appears at least one firm is going to have some high-powered help pushing its agenda.
NJ.com reports that Nuka Enterprises of Colorado, which manufactures edible cannabis products, is expected to announce today that former Gov. Jim Florio will be joining the company’s advisory board and will be working to aid the company’s expansion efforts in New Jersey.
The one-term Democratic governor served from 1990 to 1994 and remains a popular figure in state Democratic circles.
The announcement comes as efforts to legalize pot in the state remain stalled, with a core group of legislators from both parties resisting Gov. Phil Murphy’s efforts.
Some Democratic lawmakers, led by Democratic Sen. Ronald Rice, the head of the state’s Legislative Black Caucus, are instead pushing to decriminalize pot.
Last month, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal adjourned of all marijuana cases in municipal courts statewide until at least Sept. 4, saying he wanted to use the time to craft a statewide marijuana policy for prosecutors. The Murphy administration is also moving to expand the state’s medical marijuana program.
In a statement obtained by NJ.com., Florio is quoted as saying that New Jersey residents “recognize the importance” of legalizing marijuana as “as a medicinal, social justice and economic issue.”
Quote of the Day: “If this is truly a social justice issue, like Gov. Murphy is saying, let’s focus on decriminalization and spend a few years collecting data to see how it’s affecting vulnerable communities.” — Ijeoma Opara, a policy adviser for NJ RAMP, which opposes legalization of marijuana.
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