State Proposes Bold Law to Treat Pot Like Tobacco And Expunge All Records of Marijuana ‘Crimes’

In late 2016 a New Jersey Assemblyman, known as the "most conservative", introduced and sponsored a marijuana legalization bill that would legalize cannabis similar to tobacco, allowing sales in convenience stores and gas stations statewide to adults 19 and older. If passed, the bill would remove criminal liability from marijuana as well as it's status as a controlled substance under the New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substance Act. The legislation would also expunge the records of those convicted of certain marijuana crimes. With Governor Chris Christie still in office, some are pessimistic about the bill's chance of passing as he has a history of supporting prohbition, but advocates hope this legislation will continue laying the groundwork in support of future legalization.

“To me it’s just not a big deal,” Carroll told Politico. “It’s already ubiquitous. Anybody who thinks this is somehow going to increase the availability of marijuana has never been 19. If that’s the case, then what’s the big deal about having it available at the local 7-Eleven?”

Alcohol, after all, is a standard fixture at convenience stores and gas stations, with store owners facing fines and other civil penalties for underage distribution.
“The whole point here is to get the government out of the business of treating at least marijuana use as a crime and treat it instead as a social problem,” Carroll continued, adding he’s never tried cannabis, personally.