The media outlet Meidas Touch uncovered a video of a town hall by former Republican Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli of Somerset County, when he tried in 2021 to run for Governor, calling marijuana a “gateway drug” and proposing to end the NJ adult-use cannabis market.
It has become a competitive election to be the next Governor of New Jersey between Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11) of Essex County and perennial candidate Ciattarelli.
Anti-Cannabis Positions of Ciattarelli in 2021
“Four hundred out of the 565 towns in New Jersey have now passed local ordinances saying no dispensary in my town,” Ciattarelli noted to applause in the video.
“The horse is out of the barn,” he added about the industry.
“We’re going to have to see how this goes,” Ciattarelli argued. “…If we get 4 or 5 years down the road and it’s been a disaster for New Jersey, I’m going to have another conversation with you, saying do you want it back on the ballot and do you want to reverse this decision?…”
“I think it’s a gateway drug,” he declared to some claps.
“Let’s hope it goes well,” Ciattarelli added diplomatically.
Opponents of legalization held back progress for decades using the discredited “gateway drug” argument.
Anti-Cannabis Social Justice Concerns
“I opposed recreational marijuana. I was for decriminalization. Phil Murphy said it was all about social justice. You can achieve social justice with decriminalization. Not giving somebody a criminal record for having a petty amount in their possession…,” Ciattarelli argued.
He criticized the 2020 NJ cannabis legalization referendum question, which led to two-thirds of the great voters of the State approving it.
“It’s almost like asking whether or not you approve of alcohol,” Ciattarelli argued.
Like many conservatives, he was very unhappy at the social justice progress made by advocates to limit the records of teenagers.
Many in the past had no other option but to sell weed to make money after one petty offense cut off legitimate opportunities for advancement. This, unfortunately, was especially true among Hispanics and African Americans.
This was partially addressed in New Jersey by making it an offense for police officers to excessively badgered minors found to possess marijuana beyond issuing a warning.
The legislature did pass a law saying that giving warnings to minors and letting their parents know was all right.
Ciattarelli Anti-Medical Cannabis for Veterans in 2016
Noted cannabis advocate Jim Miller of the Coalition for Medical Marijuana of New Jersey (CMMNJ) and (Sativa Cross) recently posted that Ciattarelli voted against allowing medical cannabis treatment for military veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in 2016 on Facebook.
Miller was part of that effort along with noted military veteran and cannabis advocate Leo Bridgewater. Leo has described how cannabis has helped with his PTSD from serving in the War in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ciattarelli voted against a bill that former Governor Chris Christie signed into law. So that made him more conservative than Christie and other Republican legislators like Anthony Bucco (R-26-Morris).
It is notable. The very significant problems with high NJ cannabis prices and NJ cannabis industry barriers to entry began under Christie.
Home Grow Positions
More recently, Ciattarelli told the NJ Monitor he supported medical home grow only. At the same time, he claimed he would not disrupt the industry.
In contrast, Sherill is not known to have expressed any anti-cannabis positions. In fact, the noted advocacy group NORML has rated her congressional record as very good. Sherrill told the NJ Monitor she supported legalizing both adult-use and medical cannabis home grow legalization during the primary season.
Neither has mentioned cannabis in their public remarks since the beginning of the general election season. Addressing soaring national energy prices and worldwide inflation are bigger issues. In addition, Sherrill recently accused Ciattarelli of profiting from the opioid crisis.
The NJ Governorship is one of the most powerful in the country. So much of the progress made under Governor Phil Murphy (D) could be lost depending on who becomes Governor. That person can control state cannabis policy decisions and the NJ Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC). So they can help or hinder progress.
