Legal weed bill would spawn new drug dealers, Doherty says

Sen. Mike Doherty said Thursday that Democrats push to legalize marijuana would lead to more drug dealers on New Jersey streets.

“The backroom dealing by Trenton Democrats over legalization is almost certain to lead to more drug dealing in communities across New Jersey,” Doherty said. “That’s what will happen if drug dealers with multiple felony convictions for possessing pounds of marijuana are given a clean slate as part the Democrats’ rush to legalization.”

Included in Democrats’ legalization package is a bill on expungement of marijuana offenses. The measure would allow those convicted of possessing up to five pounds of marijuana or distributing up to one ounce of the same to have those convictions cleared.

Gov. Phil Murphy and Democratic leaders in the legislature have repeatedly said social justice was the main driver behind their push to legalize marijuana.

“Five pounds of pot is enough to fill a backpack,” Doherty said. “Recreational users aren’t getting caught with that much, just dealers who probably are selling more dangerous drugs too. That’s exactly who Democrats are fighting to help under the false guise of ‘social justice.’”