New Jersey Plans to Fund Violence Prevention Program with Cannabis Revenue

In a recent press release (1), New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that $15 million would be made available through a competitive grant process to support Community-Based Violence Intervention (CBVI) Programs throughout the state. According to the announcement (1), funding for this initiative will be provided through the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Act, and includes $5 million from the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Fund which is dedicated to reinvestment in communities most impacted by cannabis criminalization.

NJ’s CBVI programs use interventions and protective activities in communities and among populations associated with risk factors for exposure to violence. CBVI initiatives reportedly include a range of strategies such as mentoring programs, street outreach, trauma support services, de-escalation, targeted afterschool programs, job training, and more.

“Keeping New Jersey’s residents safe is my top priority. Our comprehensive approach to public safety focuses support for community-led violence intervention efforts that are disrupting cycles of violence at the ground level,” said Attorney General Platkin in the press release (1). “Thanks to the leadership and support of Governor Murphy, we are continuing the State’s historic investment and commitment to this essential work. These funds continue to put resources in the hands of grass roots organizations so that communities are part of our public safety mission.”

According to a recent article from Marijuana Moment (2), New Jersey as well as many other states with legal cannabis route at least some portion of revenue toward community reinvestment. California, Illinois, and Arizona all recently announced plans to allocate money from cannabis revenue back to local communities.

California announced it was opening applications for $48 million in cannabis tax-funded community reinvestment grants, such as support job placement, legal assistance, treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, referrals to medical care, and other services for communities that have been disproportionately affected by the drug war (2). California regulators at the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) also recently announced the award of $4.1 million to 18 local governments through a first-of-its-kind program to support cannabis business licensing programs and curb the illicit market. The DCC also recently awarded recently awarded almost $20 million in research grants, funded by marijuana tax revenue, to 16 academic institutions to carry out studies into cannabis.

Illinois paid out $45 million in grants in 2022 under its Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) program, which was established under the state’s adult-use cannabis legalization law (2). Arizona sets aside 10% of cannabis tax revenue for a justice redevelopment fund, which funds public health services, counseling, job training, and other social services for communities that have been adversely affected by marijuana arrests and criminalization (2).

References

1. State of New Jersey, Department of Law & Public Safety, Governor Murphy, Attorney General Platkin Announce $15 Million in Violence Prevention and Intervention Grants Available for Community Organizations, August 15, 2023, https://www.njoag.gov/governor-murphy-attorney-general-platkin-announce-15-million-in-violence-prevention-and-intervention-grants-available-for-community-organizations/.
2. Adlin, B., New Jersey Uses Marijuana Revenue to Fund Violence Prevention Programs, Marijuana Moment, August 21, 2023, https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-jersey-uses-marijuana-revenue-to-fund-violence-prevention-programs/.