Many candidates are running for Governor Mikie Sherrill’s former 11^th Congressional District House of Representatives seat and could shape federal cannabis legalization policy.

Sherrill won re-election easily every time, and a Democrat is expected to succeed her.

There are several Democratic candidates for office in the Thursday, February 5^th primary.

Republicans are supporting Randolph Mayor Joe Hathaway, who doesn’t like dispensaries.

The Special Election for the seat is on April 16^th.

It’s one thing for a Member of the House to go along with what the rest want. It’s another to champion justice and progress.

Incidentally, Heady NJ is based in the district in Essex County.

Federal Cannabis Legalization Issues

Federal cannabis legalization is complicated. President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Schedule II rescheduling of Marijuana on the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) list, which many industry operators were happy about it.

However, a large coalition of grassroots advocates, independent businesspeople, larger Multi-State Operators (MSOs), and Heady NJ are for Descheduling and taking Marijuana off the CSA.

Some for Descheduling think Rescheduling could ruin the state-legal cannabis markets.

Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill: Experience in Cannabis

Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill is running for Congress and has been a consultant for a few cannabis companies.

He was also Phil Murphy’s 2017 Campaign Manager when Murphy ran for Governor on cannabis legalization.

“Brendan Gill has long supported legalizing and regulating cannabis in New Jersey because it makes communities safer, brings the industry out of the shadows, and ends failed prohibition policies that did more harm than good,” his spokesperson told Heady NJ. “He has argued that legalization must be paired with fairness, including expungement, reinvestment, and real opportunities for communities disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs.”

“Gill supports a legal cannabis industry that prioritizes local and minority-owned businesses, strengthens local economies, and upholds fair labor standards,” the spokesperson added.

His spokesperson confirmed he believes in “removing cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and reducing federal interference in state programs.”

“He believes reform is necessary to end the harms of over-policing, create economic opportunity, and ensure communities most impacted by prohibition have a fair stake in a legal, regulated industry,” she added.

Passaic County Commissioner John Barltett: Experience in Cannabis

John Bartlett is a Passaic County Commissioner who is running as well. He participated in a cannabis career fair in 2023. He told PBS he was there with their Economic Development Authority and supported the opportunity for county residents.

Bartlett does not mention it on his website. But he explained his cannabis experience to Heady NJ.

“I came at this first as a lawyer doing some appeals from the medical rounds in 2018 and 2019,” Bartlett noted.

He explained he was a lawyer for the cannabis company Pangea. They had a legal case about how Jersey messed up the medical cannabis license lottery rounds.

He noted those rounds were difficult due to issues from the Chris Christie Administration.

In addition, Bartlett noted he helped facilitate Passaic County’s efforts to assist entrepreneurs with locations. He has championed dispensaries like Molly Ann Farms, which opened in Passaic County.

It’s notable because a lot of entrepreneurs need help. Most cities and towns have done little except allow them to open.

“I think there’s a lot left for Congress to do to finish the job… I’m not going to pretend to have detailed knowledge…,” Bartlett admitted.

However, “as someone whose legal career has included repping businesses in the cannabis industry … and helping people in my county get careers there, I come at this with an understanding of a lot of issues that cannabis businesses are dealing with, that states like New Jersey that have to … deal with,” Bartlett explained. “Starting with that basic understanding is going to put me in a position to be helpful when these issues come up in Washington.”

Former Congressman Tom Malinowski Wants New Seat

Former 7^th District Congressman Tom Malinowski wants back in the House and seems to be the frontrunner in the race in the 11^th district. A lot of people are backing him.

According to Rolling Stone, he backed the Marijuana Justice Act sponsored by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), which was for decriminalization.

In 2022, he voted for the MORE Act bill that took Marijuana off the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) list and included Social Equity provisions, along with the rest of the NJ House Democrats who served their constituents well doing so.

His website doesn’t mention cannabis.

Progressive Berniecrat Analilia Mejia

Noted labor leader and advocate Analilia Mejia is running with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ support.

She was Sanders’ Political Director when he ran for President. Previously, she led the progressive NJ Working Families Alliance and the campaign for $15 an hour for minimum wage.

Bernie Sanders has been for federal cannabis legalization via Descheduling which is Heady NJ’s preferred position.

Sanders came to Jersey for Mejia. The crowd that arrived was far bigger than the William Paterson University auditorium chosen for the event.

Thus, many progressives, including the pro-cannabis Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Berniecrats across the country, support her. Her website contains many interesting policy positions that are not related to cannabis.

Former Lt. Gov Tahesha Way & Murphy’s Cannabis Record

Former Lt. Governor and NJ Secretary of State Tahesha Way is running as well. As Secretary of State, she had jurisdiction over the NJ Business Action Center (NJBAC) and its Cannabis Training Academy (CTA). The CTA held its 1st anniversary celebration last October and thanked Way for helping them.

The CTA has developed a very innovative program to help local entrepreneurs and professionals eager to succeed in the industry.

Way replaced the late Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver. She sadly passed away during the administration of former Governor Phil Murphy (D).

Her website doesn’t mention cannabis, and she didn’t get back to Heady NJ.

Former Obama Official Cammie Croft

Former Obama Administration staffer and nonprofit executive Cammie Croft is also running for office.

Croft’s representative told Heady NJ she is for federal cannabis legalization.

However, she did not specify whether she is for Schedule III Rescheduling or Descheduling.

Her website does not mention it either.

Morris Township Deputy Mayor Jeff Grayzel

In addition, Morris Township Deputy Mayor Jeff Grayzel is running too.

Morris Township approved allowing dispensaries last year. According to the minutes of the meeting, Grayzel noted that the 2020 NJ legalization referendum passed in the town by 70 percent.

His website doesn’t mention cannabis.

Many Candidates Running for Congress

There are a bunch of candidates running who probably won’t win.

Chatham Borough Councilman and former soldier Justin Strickland is running as well. His policy platform on his website does not mention cannabis legalization. Stickland’s campaign did not return a request for comment by the time of publication. Nor did the other candidates mentioned below.

Chatham doesn’t have dispensaries.

Also, Zach Beecher is a venture capitalist and Army veteran. He does not have much experience in politics.

In addition, community organizer Anna Lee Williams doesn’t mention it on her website, nor does she have a record on cannabis policy.

Furthermore, anti-eviction attorney and comedian JL Cauvin does not mention cannabis on his website either.

Immigration and the intense tactics of ICE are a big issue in the race, along with opposition to Donald Trump.

Rodney Frelinghuysen held the district seat before Sherrill. He was a WASP Republican whose ancestor was the US Secretary of State in the Gilded Age.

But in 2018, many comfortable middle-class moderates became part of the anti-Trump movement. So, when it seemed there would be a competitive race, Frelinghuysen retired.