FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2020

GOP COUNTY CHAIRS OPPOSE NOV. BALLOT QUESTION LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL POT
Urge a “No” Vote on Question One

West New York, NJ – The Republican County Chairmen’s Association voted
unanimously to adopt a resolution expressing its opposition to Ballot Question One and
urging New Jersey voters to vote No on the question. It is on the November General
Election ballot.

Question One proposes an amendment to the NJ State Constitution that legalizes the
recreational use of marijuana for individuals 21 years of age and older.

“We are strongly opposed to legalizing pot for personal use,” said Jose Arango, who
was elected chairman of the association at the same meeting at which the resolution
passed. In addition to being the association’s chair, Arango is the long-time chairman
the Hudson County Republican Party and a former member of the NJ General
Assembly.

“We know from states where marijuana is legal that underage use of pot is increasing.
That fact shouldn’t surprise anyone,” Arango stated. “What many people don’t know,
however, is that substantial scientific evidence exists demonstrating a connection
between the regular use of high-potent pot and serious mental illness in teenagers and
young adults,” Arango continued.

“Pro-pot legislators may not care about the damage that legal pot will do to our children,
families, schools and neighborhoods, but as an organization deeply dedicated to
promoting a healthy and safe New Jersey, my chairmen colleagues and I felt obligated
to speak out against the ballot question,” Arango stated.

“We also are strongly opposed to using our State’s constitution to legalize pot. Pro-pot
legislators couldn’t get a bill passed, so, instead, they’re trashing our constitution,”
Arango charged.

Arango noted that when the failed legalization bill was being considered, no Republican
legislator voted for it. “I believe that the position of the county chairmen’s association is
reflective of the Republican Party at-large. I was proud to have put the resolution on the
agenda of the meeting at which I was elected chair,” Arango concluded.

A copy of the resolution is attached:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, in the 2020 General Election, New Jersey voters are being asked to approve or disapprove an amendment to the State Constitution that legalizes the use of cannabis and cannabis-related products, including marijuana, for persons 21-years-of-age and older and;
WHEREAS, a bill to accomplish a similar effect failed to pass the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, the constitutional amendment does not limit the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC, the chemical in cannabis that induces the “high”) that can be present in cannabis products. In states where pot is legal, products are sold that have 99% THC content; and
WHEREAS, it is a well-established medical fact that the habitual use of pot with high THC content can have detrimental mental health effects, especially on teenagers and young adults whose brains are still developing and are susceptible to severe psychosis, such as schizophrenia; and
WHEREAS, the constitutional amendment also does not limit the types of cannabis products that can be sold and consumed; and
WHEREAS, in states where recreational pot is legal, cannabis is sold in candy-forms, such as gummies and chocolates, and oils used in vaping devices; and
WHEREAS, because THC consumed via edibles can take hours to be absorbed and provide the sought-after “high,” it is common for consumers to overdose on edibles, inducing hallucinations, paranoia, and or severe nausea and;
WHEREAS, the constitutional amendment does not guarantee that municipalities cannot be forced to allow pot stores within their borders; and
WHEREAS, since recreational pot has been legal in Washington State, traffic deaths involving stoned drives have increased; and
WHEREAS, surveys have shown that underage use of marijuana has increased since its legalization around the country, especially in those states where pot is legal; and
WHEREAS, according to the Legislature’s non-partisan professional staff, the constitutionally-imposed tax on cannabis products will raise merely $126 million in State revenue or just 0.031% of Governor Murphy’s $40 billion-plus proposed FY’21 budget; and
WHEREAS, this paltry new revenue is not likely to cover the lost revenues from the businesses adversely legal pot combined with the new costs resulting from the added regulatory bureaucracy and dealing with negative health consequences of legal pot. It is possible, therefore, that legal pot could cost New Jersey taxpayers money.
WHEREAS, every Republican legislator opposed the defeated bill legalizing recreational pot; and
WHEREAS, every Republican sheriff opposes legalized recreational pot; and
WHEREAS, many Republican-controlled counties and municipalities already have passed resolutions and/or ordinances opposing legalization and/or prohibiting pot from being sold in their jurisdictions, Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the New Jersey Republican County Chairmen’s Association opposes the constitutional amendment legalizing recreational and urges all voters to vote “No” on the ballot question; and be it further
RESOLVED, that chairmen acting individually encourage county and municipal candidates in their respective counties to oppose the ballot question and to incorporate that opposition into their campaigns; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the chairman of the association work with the New Jersey Republican State Committee to ensure that available resources are used to further the purpose of this resolution; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the chairman of the association takes appropriate steps to see wide distribution of this resolution and make the media and general public aware of the association’s opposition to the ballot question.