Marijuana Photo by Esteban Lopez on Unsplash

The question on the mind of every New Jersey resident is, “Should the state legalize marijuana?” A hot topic in the United States has been the legalization of cannabis. Fortunately, there are real-life examples of the pros and cons of allowing recreational use of this drug. So far, nine states have made it legal for individuals over the age of 21 to use cannabis. Currently, medical use of the drug is legal in New Jersey, but recreational use is not. Legalization of marijuana causes states to experience unique pros and cons. New Jersey should be aware of its unique pros and cons because every state operates differently.

Legal Marijuana Pros in New Jersey

The legalization of cannabis can be beneficial in many ways. New Jersey can take advantage of these benefits for the good of all citizens. The legalization of this drug has allowed other states to experience economic and social improvements.

According to a recent Marist Poll, 44% of US adults use marijuana in some form. New Jersey could be benefiting substantially from the legal purchases of marijuana with such a high percentage of cannabis users. Taxes put on products go to state funds for education, infrastructure, law enforcement, etc. Additionally, marijuana distributors would need to pay the state for a permit allowing them to sell the product.

There are also social benefits to legalizing cannabis use. Tragedies related to selling illegal marijuana could reduce because there will be safe and reputable distributors. Furthermore, many people believe that prohibiting the use of a drug is an intrusion on the constitutional freedom of choice.

Cons in New Jersey

Some say that there are quite a few benefits to legalizing marijuana. While this is true, there are also a few downsides. It is necessary to remember that this drug can be harmful to the health and safety of certain individuals. Furthermore, there are still many unknowns about the impact legal cannabis could have on New Jersey.

Cannabis use can help with specific medical problems. It can cause discomfort and negative health effects. The legalization of recreational use could increase the likeliness of exposing non-using people to the drug. For example, the public may have an increased exposure to second-hand smoke which could be harmful to respiratory systems.

Moreover, many consider cannabis as a “gateway” drug. This means that sometimes users of cannabis will begin to use more harmful drugs like cocaine or ecstasy. It is possible that legalizing a “gateway” drug in New Jersey could lead to more people becoming informed of or interested in harder drugs.


Legalizing marijuana in New Jersey is obviously a complicated issue. It’s crucial that lawmakers weigh all the pros and cons first. It is important for the public to understand the pros and cons of legalizing drugs. Learn about the pros and cons that are important to you and decide what you think is best for New Jersey.