Jersey Shore Town Backing Legalizing Marijuana

There's a movement in New Jersey to legalize marijuana. One Shore town in particular is leading the charge. 

The Asbury Park City Council has agreed to draft a resolution urging state lawmakers to legalize use of the drug.

The community group "Help Not Handcuffs" has lobbied to stop law enforcement from arresting people for substance use. This resolution would be more of a symbolic gesture.

Randy Thompson, founder of Help Not Handcuffs, said arrests for marijuana impose criminal records on people– deterring them from jobs and housing– for a minor offense. He also said marijuana enforcement distracts police from more serious crimes. He called on Asbury Park to make it the lowest law enforcement priority.

Marijuana possession arrests account for half of all drug arrests nationally, according to Help Not Handcuffs. In Asbury Park, nearly half of the 440 drug possession arrests in 2013 were for marijuana.

Mayor John Moor said he was convinced to adopt the resolution supporting the legalization of marijuana after hearing a presentation from Thompson. He said he hoped the city's support of the movement would push New Jersey lawmakers to consider legalizing the drug.

[APP]

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