New Jersey Lawmakers Weighing Whether To Legalize Marijuana
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Whether New Jersey should legalize the recreation use of marijuana will be at the center of a legislative hearing.
The judiciary committee is set to hear from clergy, health professionals, law enforcement officials and other policy experts on Monday in Trenton.
The hearing comes as lawmakers face a lame-duck session of the Legislature and as Gov. Chris Christie spends time outside New Jersey campaigning for the Republican nomination for president.
Marijuana has been legalized for all uses in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska and for medical use in nearly 20 others, including New Jersey.
New Jersey's medical marijuana law is among the most restrictive, with patients and doctors required to register with the state and each pay a $200 fee.
There are five dispensaries. A sixth is pending.
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