The Medical Society of New Jersey is expressing “grave concerns” over an agreement reached by the governor and legislative leaders on legislation to legalize adult-use marijuana in New Jersey.

Dr. John Poole, president of the Medical Society of New Jersey, said in a statement that the physician community urges the Legislature and the administration to exercise restraint in their effort to legalize marijuana. While physicians support decriminalizing adult use for social justice reasons, they oppose legalizing recreational use.

“Creating an entire new industry to sell an intoxicating product to adult users is antithetical to improving the health status of our citizenry. Adult-use products, such as alcohol and tobacco, are enticing to adolescents and young adults. Legal marijuana will be no different. Despite protections found in law, industries exist to sell as much of their products as possible, and to every possible consumer,” said Poole.

He added, “Our state faces high rates of chronic disease, poor maternal health outcomes and sedentary lifestyles. These conditions will not be improved by legalizing marijuana and promoting its use.”

Poole said that the medical society urges elected members of the New Jersey State Senate and New Jersey General Assembly to act in the interest of the public health and welfare of the state and oppose the legalization of marijuana.