Mayor Fulop: Distribution convictions should be expunged if weed is legalized

<p>A strong supporter of legalizing marijuana in the state is not satisfied with the current bill to do so in the state Legislature.</p>

News 12 Staff

Dec 11, 2018, 10:17 PM

Updated 1,959 days ago

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A strong supporter of legalizing marijuana in the state is not satisfied with the current bill to do so in the state Legislature.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop is in full support of the legalization of marijuana, but only if the state will also eliminate prior distribution convictions.
He says he won't allow dispensaries in his city unless the bill will ensure that those previous convictions for distributing weed will be eliminated.
"Businesses are going to make millions and millions of dollars on the distribution side," Fulop says. "It's only reasonable to think about the distribution side and what was wrong back then as well."
Legislators have yet to agree on legalizing the drug, but some New Jersey residents believe it's only right to eliminate the criminal record for those who were previously arrested.
"I'm all for people getting out of jail for things that other people will then be able to do legally," says Lillian Bustle, of Jersey City.
Lawmakers are running out of time if they want to hold a vote on legalizing recreational weed this year. Next Monday is the last day of the legislative session.
Mayor Fulop also says the 2 percent portion of the taxes collected from marijuana sales that would go to the city under the current bill is not nearly enough.


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