Letter: NJ Should Follow CO, WA, Legalize Marijuana

Dear Editor,

It is very promising to learn that Colorado and Washington State legalized marijuana for all adults, as the result of voter referendums on Nov. 6. Recreational marijuana will now be controlled, taxed and regulated by those states in a a way similar to alcohol. Legitimate businesses will be licensed to sell marijuana.

New Jersey arrests approximately 25,000 people per year for marijuana offenses and has a (nearly) 10 percent unemployment rate. It is time that New Jersey legalizes marijuana all together to create jobs, reduce crime and lower taxes.

Marijuana is objectively less harmful than alcohol. It is not addictive and no one has ever died from it. It is irrational to punish adults for using a substance safer than alcohol.

Just like alcohol prohibition, the prohibition of marijuana has not stopped its usage. But rather only moved the profits of its production and sale into underground markets and unfairly brands otherwise law-abiding adults with criminal records, limiting access to employment and education.

Marijuana legalization will give New Jersey more jobs, lower taxes and reduce crime. New Jersey, follow the lead of Colorado and Washington State by taxing and regulating marijuana for adults like alcohol!

Eric Hafner
Toms River, NJ

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