Perhaps he needs a scanner to listen to the heroin overdoses in his town? Or maybe he needs to do a little better research instead of the Marijuana is a gateway drug crap?
BARNEGAT – Township officials are taking a stand against the legalization of recreational marijuana in New Jersey, arguing “not in my town.”
At a recent township committee meeting, Barnegat Mayor Alfonso Cirulli delivered a lengthy call to action to residents to oppose recreational marijuana legislation.
The committee also passed a resolution to that effect at the Feb. 5 meeting. While the resolution clearly opposes recreational marijuana, it makes a point to state that the committee supports the use of medical marijuana for its health benefits.
After attending the 2019 NJ Conference of Mayors Winter Summit in Trenton on Jan. 31, Cirulli came back to town with renewed vigor to stand strong against Governor Phil Murphy’s endorsement of recreational marijuana.
While guest speakers and legislators covered a host of topics at the summit, from the inundation of Open Public Records Act requests to municipalities, to affordable health care, to affordable housing, Cirulli noted that “we all know a hot topic is the legalization of recreational marijuana.”
He cites major concerns that marijuana could trigger even more illegal drug use. While Ocean County remains in an opioid epidemic, Cirulli fears that recreational marijuana will only worsen the problem.
“We know that marijuana is a gateway drug, it’s also 20-24 percent stronger than the stuff that was available in the 60s and the 70s,” he said. “They’re [legislators] not thinking about the cost on our society and on our kids.”
A 2017 study by the NJ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services places marijuana as the third most popular “primary drug” by Ocean County users. Marijuana follows behind alcohol as number two and heroin at number one. According to the same report, Barnegat Township saw 334, or 4 percent, of substance abuse admissions in the county in just 2017, the majority of which were for heroin.
Cirulli credited the Barnegat Police Department Crime Reduction Unit for helping keep the township “ahead of the curve” when it comes to drug-related deaths and arrests. The CRU was launched in early 2018.
However, this does not stand for the entire county or state. The Attorney General’s NJ Cares project, “a real time dashboard of opioid-related data and information,” clocks in 294 suspected overdose deaths so far in 2019, as of Feb. 10.
In addition to continued drug use, Cirulli also expressed worry that state legislators have financial motives behind legalizing recreational marijuana.
“New Jersey is in dire financial straits,” Cirulli said, noting that legislators want to legalize the drug because they think they’re going to fill a budget hole.
While Governor Murphy is pushing for more, a recent bill proposes a 12 percent tax on the recreational drug.
“To me, that’s blood money,” said Cirulli.
Cirulli not only advocated against the drug to attendees at the committee meeting, but also to state legislators at the summit. He placed information about the negative effects of marijuana on adults and children on a table at the summit, which he said was quickly removed.
“I was told it wasn’t allowed,” Cirulli said. “They said ‘it’s [legalization] coming’; they didn’t want to discuss the pros and the cons,” but rather, “how to prepare for it.”
He also brought with him a petition against legalization bearing 900 signatures already, which was also “not allowed,” he said.
Despite some of the state officials representing more “forward-thinking” perspectives when it comes to recreational marijuana, Cirulli maintains that the drug is dangerous.
Cirulli urged residents to “call your legislators” and let them know that you are against the legalization of marijuana, making Barnegat one of many other Ocean County towns working to ban the use of the drug. Others include Toms River, Berkeley, Point Pleasant Beach, and Seaside Heights.
So if marijuana is a gateway drug, does that mean all the junkies overdosing and getting behind the wheel killing people started out on weed? I doubt it!
“Cirulli also expressed worry that state legislators have financial motives behind legalizing recreational marijuana.”….i think he’s the one with the financial motives for not wanting it legalized in BG.
Please explain your logic in that for us that fail to see it.
Harold Draken because arrests and fines for possession of marijuana benefit the people who run those towns….
No everyone starts with the cigarette then the alcohol the the weed
It’s amazing he must be watching Reefer Madness
Maybe thats where the source is for heroin and thats where the money is and he cant lose it
Yes
Gate way drug my ass every bad decision I’ve ever made was because I was drunk as fuck bet yet alcohol is legal . SMDH
What pharmaceutical companies does he invest in? This will be my answer to anyone opposing the legalization
Matthew Tursi exactly
Kimberly Graham there has to be a driving force to oppose something so useful
A better question would be, why hasn’t pharma come out with meds using the same ‘helpful’ substances as they have with other plants? It would be very profitable for them. Perhaps they don’t want the inevitable lawsuits. https://www.nap.edu/read/24625/chapter/1
He’s in someone’s pocket is what that shows
How fucking pathetic is he
The moment anybody still uses the “weed is a gate way drug” argument I automatically stop listening to them
So its totally ok for kids to watch mommy take her prescription xanax and drink her nightly glass of wine and be fucked up but oh no marijuana is the bad guy and is a “gateway”….bish please, it’s a gateway to the fridge, naps and happiness so gtfo
Samantha Dixon ??
The pothead state
John Aquino do you know how stupid you look with idiotic comments like this ?
Colorado?
Wow lots of denouncing going on lately xD
I am not sure pot is going to change heroin use
Annette Crawford Hall unfortunately it’s not. I dont know why people think heroin users are automatically just going to switch over and start smoking pot. I’m sure it’s not the same high.
Michele Scivoletti Andrews not the same high and most probably smoke week already!
And weed isn’t going to stop them from getting deathly ill
I know MANY ex heroin users who only smoke weed now. And I am beyond thankful for that.
A stupid politician, imagine that
I hate when people say marijuana is a gateway drug. I call BS on that!! People know what heroin can do. They still take it. Kinda like reading the drano bottle and still drinking it. Those people have mental issues to begin with.
Do the research about marijuana and make educated decisions.
Stupid?
I thought beer was the gateway drug Haha fuk these dumb politicians.
Uneducated asshat in office
LouLou Grimes
??no lets keep posting stories about people OVERDOSING multiple times per day in all these towns. Weed is the least of your worries
Yes because we need more legally stoned drivers out there.
Richard Stuck i would imagine it would be regulated the way alcohol is. I don’t think its going to be ok 2 drive under the influence.
How many people u know crashing cars when they have smoked some pot ?? Cuz I know 0
So happy to see all the pro-marijuana posts on here! ❤️
It’s only a plant. I as an Emt have had more patients Overdose on Heroin, Alcohol related accidents,falls,and domestics. Never had that with anyone on weed. Granted shouldn’t smoke drive.
Taylor Moehring “uneducated barnegat mayor” omg
Cara Sablowsky lmao no shit
Wake up folks it is all about the money. Always was and always will be. ?
Love pot
A fool is born everyday
Apparently popping pills and drinking alcohol is fine. Huh, I guess all those heroin overdoses are alright too… ??♀️
Alcohol is the gateway drug.