After New Jersey voters voted overwhelmingly to approve the Marijuana Legalization Amendment on November 3, 2020, legalizing a controlled form of marijuana called “cannabis” for adults 21 years of age and older, reaction was swift and strong regarding the legalization, both for and against.
In a report by Joseph F. Berenato on the front page of this week’s Gazette, you will be able to read those reactions, and learn about the issues surrounding the legalization of marijuana from municipal officials and attorneys. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel pointed out the fact that the possession and consumption of recreational-use marijuana is not legal just yet.
“Unfortunately, some people think that just because people clicked ‘yes’ that it now has legalized it, and it hasn’t yet. It still has to go through the normal process of legislative branch going through and making how and where and why, and what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable, what would constitute personal use and possession, where you can do that. It doesn’t carte blanche legalize things all across the board,” Friel said.
Other municipal officials quoted in the article on the legalization of marijuana include: Councilman Steven Furgione, Councilman Joseph Giralo and town solicitor Michael Malinsky. Locally-based attorney and former New Jersey Superior Court Judge Michael Donio and attorney Joseph Lombardo of Lombardo Law Group LLC also commented on the matter.
Legalized marijuana is now an issue that municipalities throughout the state will have to deal with, including Hammonton. How the issue is dealt with by the town is a matter for discussion, and this week’s front-page article is meant to further that discussion for our readers, residents and local decisionmakers.