BLOOMFIELD, NJ -- While
lawmakers in Trenton have been deliberating the fine details of a bill to
legalize recreational marijuana in the Garden State for several months,
Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia is expressing strong support for legalization,
immediately.
"Marijuana prohibition has resulted in decades of discrimination against black and Hispanic residents who are far more likely to be arrested for petty drug offenses, damaging millions of lives and wasting police resources in the process,” said Mayor Michael
Venezia. “It's time for our state to embrace legalizing marijuana as an
issue of both social justice and economic opportunity. I understand that this
is a controversial topic and some will not agree, but I hope that our state
will embrace this progressive issue and finish the job of legalizing
marijuana."
The state Senate and Assembly are
expected to vote on a bill next week. Mayor Venezia led a community meeting on
Monday night where residents could express their views on the legalization, as
well as learn the facts about THC, and how the outdated enforcement laws have
led to a disproportionate number of black and Hispanic residents incarcerated
for using the substance. Mayor Venezia said he supports legalization and record
expungement for non-violent offenders whose lives have been negatively impacted
for possession of marijuana.
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