You don’t have to like smoking weed to advocate for its legalization, a point the governor of New Jersey made in more or less certain terms when a reporter popped the question after a bill-signing ceremony Wednesday. But in a tweet sent Thursday, Governor Phil Murphy opens up about smoking weed in a way he didn’t when he cleverly dodged the question about his past experience with the drug the day prior.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy Has “Never Been A Marijuana Guy”
On Gov. Murphy’s way out of a bill-signing ceremony Wednesday, where he approved a number of progressive, pro-worker pieces of legislation, a reporter questioned whether the governor has ever, or plans to, consume cannabis.
After a brief laugh, Murphy responded, “I’ve ever been a marijuana guy. This is for social justice, overwhelmingly.”
Governor Murphy also made a joking reference to his affinity for fine spirits. “If this were legalization of Scotch or Irish whiskey, I would not need any advice. I’d know exactly what to do,” Murphy said.
Indeed, unlike his predecessor Chris Christie, Murphy made marijuana reform a cornerstone of his platform and campaign. And when he assumed office in January this year, Murphy vowed to move forward with legalizing and regulating an adult-use cannabis market within his first 100 days in office.
The governor has yet to make much progress on adult-use cannabis. But last month, he did approve a massive expansion of the state’s medical marijuana program. The changes aim at undoing harsh restrictions enacted by the Christie administration.
Murphy’s moves on marijuana reform have caught the attention of the press, who have asked the governor about his prior cannabis use on more than one occasion.
And on