O’Scanlon: Medical Marijuana Reforms Shouldn’t Be Tied to Outcome of Full Legalization
Senator Declan O’Scanlon said legislation fixing New Jersey’s medical marijuana program shouldn’t be tied to the fate of a separate effort to legalize the adult use of recreation marijuana.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon said legislation fixing New Jersey’s medical marijuana program shouldn’t be tied to the fate of a separate effort to legalize the adult use of recreation marijuana. (©iStock)
“If we truly believe that our medical marijuana program exists to ease the suffering of very sick patients, we shouldn’t tie efforts to improve the program to the outcome of a vote on recreational use,” said O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “Unfortunately, it seems likely that the very real needs of medical marijuana patients will continue to be held hostage by the supporters of full legalization, who insist that the very different pieces of legislation must live or die together on the floor of the Legislature. It’s despicable.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin: We Support Superintendent Healy’s School Funding Testimony
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin (all R-10) today said that they stand by Toms River Regional School District Superintendent David Healy’s testimony, as delivered during a public budget hearing, stating that they will continue to fight for fair funding for students in Ocean County and throughout New Jersey.
District 10 Legislators stand by Toms River Regional School District Superintendent David Healy’s testimony, as delivered a March 21, 2019 public budget hearing, stating that they will continue to fight for fair funding for students in Ocean County and throughout New Jersey. (Wikimedia Commons)
Superintendent Healy testified at a March 21, 2019 public budget hearing in Newark, urging officials to stop all further cuts until the flaws in the state’s funding formula are fixed. The severe funding cuts to schools within Legislative District 10 have been vehemently opposed by legislators, school officials, and students.
“Superintendent Healy’s testimony shines a light on the glaring holes in our state’s school funding formula,” Senator Holzapfel said. “As a result of Governor Murphy’s funding cuts, District 10 is set to lose over $5.5 million in State aid for the 2019-2020 school year. On behalf of students and taxpayers in our district, we will continue to speak out against the deeper cuts that will be imposed in the years to come if the Governor’s budget proposal becomes law.”
Doherty: Democrats’ Backroom Dealing on Pot Will Lead to More Drug Dealing in Our Communities
Senator Mike Doherty (R-23) said Democratic leaders are cutting backroom political deals that would put convicted drug dealers back on our streets in an effort to secure the votes they need for marijuana legalization within their legislative caucuses.
Sen. Mike Doherty said Democrats are cutting backroom political deals that would put convicted drug dealers back on our streets in an effort to secure the votes they need for marijuana legalization. (©iStock)
“The backroom dealing by Trenton Democrats over legalization is almost certain to lead to more drug dealing in communities across New Jersey,” said Senator Mike Doherty. “That’s what will happen if drug dealers with multiple felony convictions for possessing pounds of marijuana are given a clean slate as part the Democrats’ rush to legalization.”
Cardinale: Recent Pro-Marijuana Editorials are Rife with Inaccuracies
Senator Gerald Cardinale, (R-39) the ranking Republican on the State Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following response to two pro-marijuana editorials published this week on NJ.com and NorthJersey.com:
Sen. Gerald Cardinale said that two pro-marijuana editorials published on NJ.com and NorthJersey.com are rife with inaccuracies. (©iStock)
“It is incredibly disappointing that two of the most widely-read news sources in our state are spouting misinformation, and going out of their way to hide data that clearly illustrates the grave consequences of legalizing marijuana for recreational use,” Senator Gerald Cardinale said.
“A March 20 editorial on NorthJersey.com notes that the experience of legalization has been ‘overwhelmingly positive’ in other states. We know this is not true.
“In Colorado, marijuana-related motor vehicle fatalities skyrocketed following legalization. It would be even worse in New Jersey, because of our population density and high traffic levels. Our State Association of Chiefs of Police opposes legalization because they simply don’t have the resources, technology, or personnel to combat a drastic increase in drugged driving.
Pennacchio Condemns NJ’s ‘Sanctuary State Directive’ for Protecting Dangerous Criminals
In response to news reports detailing the deportation of an illegal immigrant wanted for murder in El Salvador, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) released the following statement condemning the State Attorney General’s “sanctuary state” directive, which went into effect this week:
In response to news reports detailing the deportation of an illegal immigrant wanted for murder in El Salvador, Sen. Joe Pennacchio released the following statement condemning the State Attorney General’s “sanctuary state” directive, which went into effect this week. (SenateNJ.com)
“Illegals that commit horrendous crimes are finding refuge in New Jersey and today’s news report of a murderer who was deported proves that,” Pennacchio said. “This killer was hiding out in Newark. Fortunately, federal authorities deported him back to his home country so he can be tried for aggravated murder and associating with criminal organizations. The recent implementation of Attorney General’s ‘sanctuary state’ directive is putting New Jersey communities at risk and it is putting our families in danger. We must fight back.”
Corrado & Oroho Call for Select Committee to Investigate Schools Development Authority
Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) and Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) sent a letter to the Co-Chairs of the New Jersey Legislative Select Oversight Committee calling for an investigation into the employment practices of the Schools Development Authority, calling it the “logical next step for the Committee.”
Sen. Kristin Corrado and Sen. Steven Oroho sent a letter to the Co-Chairs of the New Jersey Legislative Select Oversight Committee calling for an investigation into the employment practices of the Schools Development Authority. (SenateNJ.com)
Included below is a text of the letter from Corrado and Oroho, who serve as a vice-chair and member of the Committee, respectively.
Editorial: NJ Marijuana Legalization Comes with Serious Downsides
Senator Jim Holzapfel’s editorial on concerns regarding the legalization of marijuana in New Jersey was published by the Asbury Park Press on March 19, 2019:
Sen. Jim Holzapfel’s Asbury Park Press editorial on concerns regarding the legalization of marijuana in New Jersey. (Pixabay)
As a state senator and former county prosecutor, I oppose efforts by Gov. Phil Murphy and Democrats in the state Legislature to legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the Garden State.
The claims made by supporters of legalization don’t tell the full story, including the negative impacts on our neighborhoods and our children that can be expected should this proposal become law.
Proponents of legalization often cite a variety of anticipated benefits, ranging from large streams of new tax revenues for governments to anticipated “social justice” gains that they say would level the playing field for minorities.
The reality, however, is far less rosy. That’s clear from the example set by Colorado, where legalization occurred in 2014.
Cardinale Statement on Marijuana
Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-39) issued the following statement regarding his opposition to marijuana legalization:
Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-39) issued the following statement regarding marijuana. Sen. Gerald Cardinale’s statement on his opposition to marijuana legalization. (Pixabay)
“In Colorado and Washington State pre-legalization, there were a number of marijuana related traffic fatalities. Post-legalization there was an immediate spike in marijuana related traffic fatalities. It is now a 100% increase per year.
Bateman on Marijuana Legalization
Longtime member of the State Senate Judiciary Committee notes that Republican members have yet to see a final copy of the bill they will soon be asked to vote on to legalize marijuana in New Jersey.
Sen. Kip Bateman urges bill sponsors to make the details of a bill to legalize marijuana public before the Judiciary Committee vote, noting that with minutes to go, Republicans still haven’t seen a final copy of the legislation. (Pixabay)
“With minutes to go, Senate Republican members of the Judiciary Committee still haven’t seen a final copy of legislation to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
“Legalizing marijuana would have an enormous impact on all of our communities. Asking us to form an opinion without seeing the full details of the bill is an incredibly irresponsible way to govern,” Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) said.
Gov. Signs Bucco’s School Security Bill
Expands Eligibility Requirements to Allow More Retired Law Enforcement Officers to Protect NJ Schools
Governor Phil Murphy has signed legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) to expand the categories of those who are eligible to serve as Class Three officers, a special class of retired-in-good-standing law enforcement officers who provide security at New Jersey’s schools and county colleges.
Gov. Murphy has signed Sen. Anthony Bucco’s school security bill expanding the categories of those who are eligible to serve as Class Three officers, a special class of retired-in-good-standing law enforcement officers who provide security at New Jersey’s schools and county colleges. (Flickr)
Bucco was the sponsor of the 2016 law that created class three officers, vastly expanding opportunities for local municipalities to increase school security.
“There is nothing more important than keeping our children safe,” Senator Bucco said. “Over the past several years, we have worked on a bipartisan basis to find ways to protect every classroom in New Jersey, without overburdening taxpayers. Allowing retired law enforcement officers to guard our schools was a great step forward, but we need to do more. This expansion will ensure that our schools can choose from a larger pool of qualified candidates who have the training and experience to effectively meet our school security needs.”
