Gov. Chris Christie has been firmly opposed to the legalization of recreational marijuana. Arrests for marijuana possession in New Jersey are at all-time highs, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey. So why is New Jersey potentially on the way to legalizing recreational marijuana? Elections are coming.
STATE BY STATE: New Jersey Cannabis News
On Nov. 7, 2017, New Jersey citizens will elect a new governor and state legislature. All 80 seats in the state's general assembly are up for grabs. The Democrat Party gubernatorial candidate, Phil Murphy, is way ahead in the polls right now. Going into the election, Democrats hold a 52-28 majority in the general assembly.
Murphy, a former U.S. ambassador to Germany when former President Barack Obama was in office, has publicly stated his support for legalization of recreational marijuana. He could have a legislature that agrees with him.