The primary to be the next NJ Governor was won on the Democratic side by Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), who is pro-cannabis, while the Republican winner, former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, has more mixed views.
They now face each other in the Tuesday, November 4th election.
NJ Gov Candidates on Cannabis Policy
Neither candidate directly discussed cannabis in their victory speeches. But they have expressed positions and views. Sherill has an “A” for her voting record in Congress from the cannabis advocacy group NORML.
According to the NJ Monitor, Sherrill is pro-medical and adult-use cannabis home grow, while
Ciatrelli and Cannabis
Ciattarelli has said on the record that he is pro-medical cannabis homegrow only. However, he has also voiced concerns about homegrow hurting the industry. That has been the common justification of NJ Senate President Nick Scutari (D-22-Union) who has opposed it for years.
Ciattarelli has voiced concerns about those who have invested a lot of money to open a cannabis business.
The large amount of money needed has indeed been a great problem in New Jersey, hurting local cannabis entrepreneurs.
Ciattarelli’s platform includes strong “Law and Order” ideas that might hurt those affected by the War on Drugs. The campaign wrote he promises to “fix Bail Reform loopholes that currently allow violent and repeat offenders to walk free by appointing conservative state judges and county prosecutors, as well as revising the current bail reform law to toughen rules governing juvenile offenders.”
Many of the anti-marijuana towns are run by conservative Republicans and will likely push back even harder if Sherrill loses.
A Republican elected in the wake of the anti-George Floyd Black Lives Matter backlash is not likely to believe social justice-based arguments.
However, he might appreciate the money made from selling legal weed. A lot of Republicans like the large corporate Multi-State Operators (MSOs) and the feeling is often mutual.
Ciattarelli is a perennial candidate for Governor who lost to incumbent Governor Phil Murphy in 2021. During that time, he was critical of Murphy’s cannabis policies. In 2017, he lost the nomination to then-Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, who lost to Murphy.
Ciattarelli was an Assemblyman loyal to Christie throughout his administration. According to his website, he was a businessman, but does not specify what sort. He lives in Hillsborough in Somerset County in Central Jersey.
The NJ Democratic Governor’s Race won by Mikie Sherrill
Sherrill led the Democratic candidates, which included Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in 2nd place, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop in 3rd, former NJ Senate President Steve Sweeney of Gloucester County, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) of Bergen County, and Former Montclair Mayor and New Jersey Education Association (JEA ) teachers union President Sean Spiller.
Sherrill was first elected to Congress in 2018 as part of an anti-Trump wave.
So, she might be more open to calls for progressive politics. In Congress, Sherill did introduce a bill to go after former Trump Advisor Elon Musk for drug use. But the Wall Street Journal noted Musk is alleged to have done cocaine, LSD, ecstasy, and magic mushrooms, versus mere weed.
She is a former Naval helicopter pilot and prosecutor. According to her congressional biography, she helped develop programs to assist individuals after they had left prison. Sherrill lives in Montclair in Essex County in North Jersey.
The NJ Republican Governor’s Race
Ciattarelli won in a landslide against State Senator Jon Bramnick (R-21-Union), Radio host Bill Spadea, former Englewood Cliffs Mayor Mario Kranjac, and businessman Justin Barbera.
Spadea ran as an explicit pro-Trump candidate. But Trump endorsed Ciattarelli, who might be seen as more moderate than Spadea.
It remains to be seen if Ciattarelli will be able to unify the party since Spadea might not endorse him.
Both candidates had most of their respective county organizations’ support going into what was thought to be a more volatile primary than it turned out to be.
The Power of the NJ Governor
The NJ Governorship is very powerful because, like the President of the United States, he appoints his cabinet of department heads. In many other states, like New York, you can run for Attorney General, along with other offices.
New Jersey had a medical marijuana program that was ineffective under former Governor Chris Christie. It has grown greatly under Murphy, along with the adult-use cannabis market, which has boomed under him.
The Governor can set the agenda and what does and does not happen. It includes overseeing the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (NJCRC) and making appointments.
In 2021, the pro-cannabis Democrat Murphy won narrowly in Virginia, while the pro-cannabis Democrat Terry McAuliffe lost in Virginia to Republican George Youngkin.
Youngkin has blocked adult-use cannabis legalization from progressing in Virginia since taking office in 2021.
