The Coaster asked, “Colorado recently legalized marijuana, do you think New Jersey should?” and here’s how Shore folks replied. Click on any picture to begin a slideshow:
Louis Santiago, Red Bank – No, because they have it in Cuba. They legalized it there.
They shouldn’t legalize it here.
I think it leads to crime.
It led to crime in Cuba and it’ll lead to crime here too if it’s legal.
Andrew Bagley, Asbury Park – I think it should be legalized because it seems to cause less problems that alcohol – and I ’m not a pot smoker.
Stephanie Barry & Mattea Ardizzone, Bradley Beach – Mattea: Absolutely. I think that it’s more dangerous in the hands of drug dealers who push it to kids.
As compared to alcohol and tobacco, its safer.
I did a report in college.
It’s natural, it’s from the ground.
Stephanie: Yes, make it controlled like they did in Colorado.
It’s not dangerous, like heroin.
They make it sound like you smoke pot, you rob a bank. It’s not like that.
Sharon Boone, Asbury Park – Medically, yes.
I think pot is like alcohol, and anything else – dangerous when overdone.
I’m a moderate, everything in moderation.
People with cancer, painful diseases and things like that, it’s ok.
But for recreational use, I’m not for that.
Steve & Donna Fischer, Oakhurst – Yes, we think it should be legalized, but with very strict regulations; similar to what they do with alcohol.
As far as age and living in the state eventually it will wind up here and be taxed, like liquor.
It will be a great boon to the state.
Derek Jamieson, Avon – I say legalize it to pull our economy out of debt.
You can tax the hell out of it and people will still buy it.
You have to figure that alcohol causes way more deaths a year then pot.
Melinda, Lucille & Phillip Leone, Oakhurst – We all say no. New Jersey is entirely too crowded. You can’t have people driving around high. It’s too dangerous now, much less with that.
We can see some medical use but it must be strictly medical.
It’s like alcohol. People can’t cope with life, so they look to escape.
Christine Mahoney, Asbury Park – Absolutely not. There would be a lot of accidents due to a lot of irresponsibility.
People would abuse it.
That’s the only reason they would do it, to abuse it.
I think it’s wrong. I’m sorry.
Carol Meyers, Interlake – I think not. I think it will just expand to a degree where it will be out of control.
There’s not enough regulation.
They need a lot of regulation for this.
Kevin Miles, Wall – Yes, they should. If you legalize pot it would take away the cartels smuggling it in from South America.
That would free up some law enforcement. Also it would be grown here and taxed here.
It would be a boost to the economy.
It would add another crop and income to our farmers, who need it.
Betty Moore, Asbury Park – No.
Marijuana has a tendency to effect peoples minds. It makes people paranoid. They don’t have their awareness about them, and they’re not themselves.
Not to mention driving while impaired.
It’s going to open up a whole new can of worms.
For medical purposes, that’s a different story.
Bill Morgan, Avon – I’m ok with it. I’m a civil libertarian. If people want to smoke pot, as long as it doesn’t affect me, let them smoke pot.
Several years ago Portugal legalized all drugs, and there was no increase in usage.
And the tax revenue that Colorado will collect is significant.
There are a lot of people making money right now from illegal drug sales who will be very upset.
It’s like bootlegging back in the 20’s.
Joanne & Leigh Nadell, Ocean – We’re the wrong people to ask. We’re just not into pot.
Medical reasons, like glaucoma and seizures, but not for recreational use.
Leigh knows a lot of people who smoke it for fun, she was never into it.
Tom O’Leary, Asbury Park – I would say I’m divided on the issue. I’m really mad that kids who are dying of cancer, could use it for medical purposes. That’s criminal.
She (the little girl with seizures) could have used it to help with her seizure disorder.
But our governor hides from making the right decision.
He can get so much done supposedly, but not that.
It’s all politics with people who need it.
Diana Padilla, Sweetpepper – I think it’s ok if it’s for good medical reasons.
I’ve heard from reliable people that it really helps in a variety of medical conditions.
It has to be controlled and for medical reasons. I’m ok with it.
