1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. Why do you think parents in NJ might be upset with the Governor and legislature?

3. For what reason did the Democrat-led Assembly and Senate pass the last-minute measure on February 22?

4. NJ voters passed an amendment in November to legalize recreational marijuana. Why didn’t Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy sign it into law?

5. What did Barnegat Township Police Chief Keith Germain point out about what voters did NOT vote for?

6. NJ will receive millions of dollars in tax revenue from marijuana sales. Do you support the legalization of activities such as online gambling and marijuana use--NJ has done both--as a way for states to raise money? In the long run, do you think will this help or harm the state's residents? Explain your answer.

7. The governor says he wants to be sure that young people, particularly people of color, don't get "tangled up in our criminal justice system." This implies that the law legalizing recreation marijuana that he supported will increase marijuana use among young people. What do you think?

8. Do you support NJ lawmakers’ last minute adjustment to the law which prohibits police from notifying parents of teen marijuana OR alcohol use? Explain your answer.

9. Read the notice from the PBA to NJ police officers under “Background” below. The police association writes that the last-minute measure that has been added to the law:
“is an assault on our ability to do our job and to enforce the law. This language is an attack on law enforcement officers by making us the target of punishment rather than the individuals breaking the law. This language will have dangerous consequences for the public and the police.”
a) What should the public who voted to legalize recreational marijuana do to support the police now - and to protect teens?
b) What should the public do about lawmakers prohibiting the police from doing their jobs?