TRENTON — Legalized marijuana could be "a game-changer" for New Jersey's economy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney said Thursday, declaring his intent to help change the law as soon as the next governor takes office in 2018.

TRENTON — Legalized marijuana could be "a game-changer" for New Jersey's economy, Senate President Stephen Sweeney said Thursday, declaring his intent to help change the law as soon as the next governor takes office in 2018.

TRENTON — Republican Gov. Chris Christie's warning to the Democrat-led Legislature not to move forward with legalizing marijuana is going mostly unheeded.

TRENTON — Republican Gov. Chris Christie's warning to the Democrat-led Legislature not to move forward with legalizing marijuana is going mostly unheeded.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said Friday she plans to vote for California's Proposition 64, making her one of a small number of high-level politicians to support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) said Friday she plans to vote for California's Proposition 64, making her one of a small number of high-level politicians to support legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.

NCIA: At no point in our nation’s history has there been more support from mainstream America for taking marijuana out of the criminal market and putting it behind a legal, regulated counter.

NCIA: At no point in our nation’s history has there been more support from mainstream America for taking marijuana out of the criminal market and putting it behind a legal, regulated counter.

The Medical Cannabis Act has made its way past the first hurdle of many on the road to becoming law in Nebraska.

The Medical Cannabis Act has made its way past the first hurdle of many on the road to becoming law in Nebraska.

New Hampshire remains the only New England state that hasn't decriminalized the drug.

New Hampshire remains the only New England state that hasn't decriminalized the drug.

Gov. Chris Christie has long opposed legalizing recreational marijuana, recently calling the idea “beyond stupidity.’’ He won't be in charge soon.

Gov. Chris Christie has long opposed legalizing recreational marijuana, recently calling the idea “beyond stupidity.’’ He won't be in charge soon.

In a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine, outgoing President Barack Obama makes his most explicit comments about marijuana decriminalization to date.

In a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine, outgoing President Barack Obama makes his most explicit comments about marijuana decriminalization to date.

In his final days as the state's top executive, outgoing Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin is expected to issue what could be hundreds of pardons to Vermonters convicted of what are now considered minor marijuana violations.

In his final days as the state's top executive, outgoing Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin is expected to issue what could be hundreds of pardons to Vermonters convicted of what are now considered minor marijuana violations.

President Obama has been politically artful in his approach to legal pot, providing states such as California with a road map on how to legalize. Donald Trump has said the decision should be left to states.

President Obama has been politically artful in his approach to legal pot, providing states such as California with a road map on how to legalize. Donald Trump has said the decision should be left to states.

Democrats from states where marijuana is legal say so many Americans have access to pot products that the federal government should begin regulating the industry, which generated more than $7 billion in sales last year.

Democrats from states where marijuana is legal say so many Americans have access to pot products that the federal government should begin regulating the industry, which generated more than $7 billion in sales last year.

BOSTON (AP) -- Having proven they can win in the West, advocates for recreational marijuana hope the Nov. 8 election brings their first significant electoral victories in the densely populated Northeast, where voters in Massachusetts and Maine will consider making pot legal for all adults.

BOSTON (AP) -- Having proven they can win in the West, advocates for recreational marijuana hope the Nov. 8 election brings their first significant electoral victories in the densely populated Northeast, where voters in Massachusetts and Maine will consider making pot legal for all adults.

Here are the nine states with marijuana ballot initiatives up for vote on November 8.

Jeremy Faison has been an advocate to legalize medical marijuana in Tennessee, even though proposed legislation has failed to get traction in the Republican-dominated legislature.

While most eyes have been set on the presidential race during the 2016 election, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada and California all held a vote to legalize recreational marijuana, a decision that could potentially shift the nation on a cultural and economic level.

While most eyes have been set on the presidential race during the 2016 election, Arizona, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada and California all held a vote to legalize recreational marijuana, a decision that could potentially shift the nation on a cultural and economic level.

MONTPELIER, Vt. - "It could have happened in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s. There are thousands of them," said Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vermont.

MONTPELIER, Vt. - "It could have happened in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s. There are thousands of them," said Gov. Peter Shumlin, D-Vermont.

A measure legalizing marijuana use in Vermont cleared the state's legislature on Wednesday.

A measure legalizing marijuana use in Vermont cleared the state's legislature on Wednesday.

House Bill 170 would legalize possession of up to two ounces of marijuana by adults 21 or older, who would be able to grow limited amounts of cannabis at home.

House Bill 170 would legalize possession of up to two ounces of marijuana by adults 21 or older, who would be able to grow limited amounts of cannabis at home.

5th District Congressman Tom Garrett has introduced legislation aimed at federally decriminalizing marijuana.

5th District Congressman Tom Garrett has introduced legislation aimed at federally decriminalizing marijuana.

Cannabis industry thought leaders share some thoughts on how the Trump administration may affect them.

Cannabis industry thought leaders share some thoughts on how the Trump administration may affect them.

State Senate Democrats are proposing action on medical marijuana in Wisconsin, through a bill to allow use of medical marijuana and by calling for a non-binding statewide referendum.

State Senate Democrats are proposing action on medical marijuana in Wisconsin, through a bill to allow use of medical marijuana and by calling for a non-binding statewide referendum.