"Advocates of marijuana legalization are brushing concerns under the rug in a race to legalize it in New Jersey." (March 19, 2019).

‘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. By 2017, Colorado’s marijuana taxes accounted for $210 million of the state’s $27.1 billion in revenues — just 0.78 percent. Here in New Jersey, Murphy is projecting $60 million of new tax revenues from the legalization of recreational marijuana in his state budget proposal for 2020. That $60 million would account for just 0.15 percent of the revenues needed to support his massive $38.6 billion spending plan for next year. At the local level, the financial picture doesn’t get any better. Municipalities already have been told by legislative leaders not to expect a windfall of new money from legalization. So any expectation that marijuana might be a panacea for New Jersey’s property tax crisis is misguided.’   From APP

“Think of the damage that legalization will do to our state. The false promises of tax revenues generated by legalization are nothing more than smoke and mirrors created by Governor Murphy and the Democrat-controlled Legislature to push their agenda. Should legalization occur, we will see increased drug use by children and massive law enforcement costs thrust upon property taxpayers.” “I am unwavering in my opposition to the legalization of recreational marijuana, and I hope my colleagues in Trenton will continue to stand with me to prevent this bad proposal from advancing. For whatever problems Democrats think they might solve, legalization is not the answer. That’s why I will vote against it now, tomorrow, and for as long as I am sitting in the Senate.” From Insider NJ

Email: senholzapfel@njleg.org

Web: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/334/senator-holzapfel

Phone: 609-847-3600