Drug Policy Alliance Statement on New Jersey Becoming the 13^th State to Legalize Marijuana

Now is the Time for New York to Build on it’s Neighbor’s Success & Swiftly Pass the Marijuana Reform & Taxation Act (MRTA)

New York, NY – February 22, 2021 – In response to New Jersey becoming the 13^th state to legalize marijuana for adult use, following the legislature voting for—and Governor Murphy signing legislation into law—Melissa Moore, New York State Director for the Drug Policy Alliance, released the following statement:

“Today, the New Jersey Legislature voted for—and Gov. Murphy signed—legislation to legalize marijuana for adult use, following a successful ballot question in November where voters overwhelmingly demonstrated their support for it. Now is the time to build on our neighbor’s success, and pass the Marijuana Reform and Taxation Act (MRTA) right here in New York. Our state is on the cusp of becoming a national leader in the fight for true marijuana justice through strong social equity and community reinvestment provisions in the bill currently pending in the Legislature. We urge swift passage of the MRTA to secure justice, jobs, and equity for millions of New Yorkers and restitution for New York communities most harmed by the war on drugs.”

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About the Drug Policy Alliance

The Drug Policy Alliance envisions a just society in which the use and regulation of drugs are grounded in science, compassion, health, and human rights; in which people are no longer punished for what they put into their own bodies; and in which the fears, prejudices and punitive prohibitions of today are no more. Our mission is to advance those policies and attitudes that best reduce the harms of both drug use and drug prohibition, and to promote the autonomy of individuals over their minds and bodies. Learn more at drugpolicy.org.