The New Jersey Legislature was reorganized today with NJ cannabis legalization sponsor Nick Scutari (D-Union) becoming State Senate President.
NJ cannabis legalization opponent State Senator Ron Rice (D-Essex) nominated Nia Gill (D-Essex) against Scutari. He was a consistent opponent of Scutari during the cannabis reform debate. She followed his lead.
Shortly after the surprising defeat of now-former Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) for re-election, Scutari was chosen by State Senators backed by their respective Democratic Party Chairs and leaders to be the new State Senate President.
Political Maneuvers
“With the right leadership, we can do better,” Rice said.
“We must choose an independent senator,” Gill said.
She argued the leadership of the body has failed to serve all senators.
Gill said the New Jersey Senate is a body where “power is concentrated in the hands of the few.”
She has been a closer follower of the anti-cannabis legalization leader Ron Rice.
Adult-use cannabis homegrow sponsor Senator Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) officially nominated Scutari for the Senate Presidency.
In a voice vote where votes aren’t tallied, Scutari won.
“Thank you so much for this honor of a lifetime,” he said, calling himself a “poor kid from Linden” and “evidence that the American Dream is alive and well here in New Jersey.”
“I am probably best known for my attempts over the past decade to legalize marijuana here in the State of New Jersey. So, I know about tough battles,” he said.
Scutari noted that former Senate President & Governor Dick Codey (D-Essex), who was usurped from power by former Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and relegated to be a backbencher, was against NJ cannabis legalization.
“Ya know kid, with crazy ideas like that, you’re going to have a short career in the legislature,” Scutari recounted with laughter from the chamber following.
“I’m still here, and so are you,” he added.
Scutari then thanked him for his service and noted he’s Vice President Pro-Tempore of the New Jersey Senate.
Nick Scutari and the Leadership of the New Jersey State Senate
Under Nick Scutari as Senate President, Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) will be the State Senate Majority Leader and the highest-ranking Latina in the history of the New Jersey Legislature. Ruiz was the prime sponsor behind New Jersey’s cannabis decriminalization bill. It was introduced in the wake of the mass George Floyd/Black Lives Matter protests. It was an especially progressive bill, allowing for possession of more street cannabis than in most other states.
Medical cannabis homegrow sponsor Troy Singleton (D-Burlington) will be Senate Majority Whip, Scutari’s former position.
“I am proud to announce the selection of Senator Singleton to be a member of the team of leaders for the Senate Democratic Majority,” said Senator Scutari. “He possesses a firm grasp of public policies and an innate understanding of the impact they will have on the lives and livelihoods of every day, working people. He is sharply attuned to the needs and priorities of the people we serve.”
Reorganized NJ State Senate
Senator Sandra Cunningham (D-Hudson) will serve as Senate President Pro Tempore. She was also a strong proponent of cannabis decriminalization. Senator Nellie Pou (D-Passaic) will serve as Senate Majority Caucus Chair. Pou was a leading voice for cannabis reform in the later stages of the debate as Latino Caucus Chair.
Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) will serve as Deputy Majority Leader. He has insisted on employer protections at the expense of workers’ right to consume cannabis.
Gopal will be Conference Chair, a position he held in the previous legislative session.
Senator Brian Stack (D-Hudson) will be the new Judiciary Committee Chair, the position through which Scutari advanced cannabis legalization.
Scutari and Cannabis Home Grow
The new Senate President, Nick Scutari made it known Friday that he does not believe cannabis homegrow on the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association’s webinar. He said he is not personally opposed to it. Rather he would see the industry grow to ensure it would not compete.
The idea that it could compete is based on earlier homegrow models that leaned towards a libertarian model that allowed more than 70 plants versus the more modest four to 12 plants that have been proposed in New Jersey’s proposed cannabis homegrow bills.
The leaders of the cannabis activist groups Sativa Cross and the Coalition for Medical Marijuana of New Jersey (CMMNJ) have emphasized this several times. CMMNJ Board Member Peter Rosenfeld noted he sent a letter to Scutari on this point and is awaiting a reply.
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Middlesex) has COVID and was sworn in for a third term remotely during the Assembly’s reorganization. He has consistently supported cannabis reform throughout his tenure.
Unfortunately, Assembly cannabis homegrow sponsors Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey (D-Monmouth) were defeated for re-election in November, and their replacements were sworn in.
