Pubdate: Sat, 07 May 2016
Source: Asbury Park Press (NJ)
Copyright: 2016 Asbury Park Press
Contact:  http://www.app.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/26
Author: Lawrence S. Katz

CHRISTIE MUST STAND FIRM AGAINST LEGALIZED MARIJUANA

Congratulations to the Press on its recent series of articles 
concerning New Jersey's growing heroin epidemic. They follow the 
Press' past editorials opposing legalization of recreational marijuana.

Convincing Democrat legislators in Trenton to abandon their lust for 
marijuana-generated tax dollars would be a life-saving decision. It 
is actually blood money and should never be used to redistribute New 
Jersey's wealth.

Why state legislators led by Sen. Nick Scutari, 
D-Middlesex-Union-Somerset, are anxious to entice our young into 
lives that include narcotics is a mystery. This, is in spite of 
medical professionals and statistics that prove experimentation with 
marijuana leads to heroin and other hard-core addiction.

They are also oblivious to psychologists who insist declaring 
recreational marijuana legal will imply, especially to the young, 
that it is safe. Approval is also a dangerous recommendation for the 
weak and poor in disadvantaged areas. In reality, it could be a 
future death sentence for many of our state's residents.

Ironically, the Press' series of articles coincided with recent 
changes in Denver, Colorado. There, experience with legalization 
actually led to increased addiction by youngsters. Public officials 
had to reduce the number of authorized marijuana sales outlets and 
some now call legalization a big mistake. That's why Gov. Chris 
Christie should continue strongly opposing legalization.

New Jersey needs an energetic campaign to prevent legalization of 
recreational marijuana. Ideally, it should include all religious 
denominations, businesses, medical professionals, educational 
participants and both major political organizations. The goal should 
be "life, not death" for our young.

Lawrence S. Katz

Tinton Fall
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom