TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey governor-elect Phil Murphy doesn't succeed Chris Christie until Tuesday, but already his fellow Democrats have introduced legislation to achieve one of his campaign promises, legalizing marijuana.
Democratic state Sen. Nicholas Scutari introduced the measure allowing the recreational use of marijuana by those 21 and older on Tuesday, Jan. 9, the same day the new session of the Democrat-led Legislature convened.
The Justice Department last week overturned Obama administration guidelines that federal prosecutors shouldn't interfere with states allowing people to legally use pot, but doesn't change anything for New Jersey, Scutari said.
"We're still going to move forward," he said. "I think it's going to be difficult for the federal government, especially without local law enforcement, to close it down."
