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JC Prosecutor Jake Hudnut Endorses NJ Legalization Referendum

Jersey City Prosecutor Jake Hudnut endorsed the NJ legalization referendum on cannabis via Twitter recently.

Hudnut tweeted his endorsement of the referendum being held on November 3rd.

https://twitter.com/JakeHudnut/status/1284863140061216770

In 2018, Jersey Mayor Steve Fulop and Jake Hudnut announced measures they were going to take to lower the amount of cannabis-related arrests significantly in their city. It would have, in effect, decriminalized cannabis. Their actions received national attention.

Hudnut justified the move citing the fact that more people of color are arrested than whites even though studies have shown the use of drugs is about equal. Legalization advocates for the bold move lauded him.

However, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal disapproved and sent a lengthy memo stating that municipal leaders did not have the authority not to enforce existing prohibition standards. Ultimately, municipal prosecutors were given the authority to lessen the charges when negotiating with those charge with cannabis crimes.   

Jake Hudnut was reappointed Chief Municipal Prosecutor of Jersey City last year in a unanimous vote from City Council.

“Together we are transforming the statewide conversation on marijuana legalization from one purely about taxation revenue to one including social justice, racial equality, and local control,” Hudnut said.

As Municipal Prosecutor, he has also focused on strengthening tenant’s rights.

Jake Hudnut and Jersey City

Due to Fulop and Jake Hudnut’s support of legalization, Jersey City will likely develop a thriving cannabis market. Other businesses could benefit as well. For example, people can buy food at a nearby restaurant or shop at nearby stores. In the future, a cannabis social lounge like a coffeehouse or bar could open there.

Jersey City is well connected to New York City. So it’s easy to imagine New Yorkers taking the PATH train or driving through the Holland Tunnel to purchase cannabis.

A potential medical cannabis dispensary likely applied for a license there in the last round. That round has been held up due to a pending ATC lawsuit.

Jersey City could emerge as the largest city in New Jersey post census next year. It was only slightly behind Newark in the 2010 census.

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