New Jersey’s governor and attorney general have announced the recipients of a violence-intervention grant program funded in part with revenue from state-legal marijuana.
Gov. Gov.
The fund was created by the state’s Marijuana Legalization Law and consists of money from taxes on legal marijuana sales, industry fees, and civil penalties.
We know in NJ that community-led solutions to violence strengthen communities. Thanks to @GovMurphy we are awarding $15M more to 29 organizations that provide services through community-based intervention programs. https://t.co/qrY7lwql2Y pic.twitter.com/C4sFzIttlY
Attorney General Matt Platkin December 6, 2020
The state has now committed $40 million to the CBVI Program since 2021, with the addition of the $15 million.
The most recent awards have been given to organizations such as Alcove Center for Grieving Children and Families (Alcove Center), Newark Community Street Team (Newark Community Street Team), Anti-Violence Coalition of Hudson County (Anti-Violence Coalition of Hudson County), Urban Care Foundation, Covenant House New Jersey and Elizabeth Youth Theatre Ensemble.
Murphy stated in his announcement that the program has “proven to be successful” in its mission of disrupting the cycle of violence in our communities and supporting vulnerable survivors.
According to state guidelines, a minimum amount of $5 million must be provided by the cannabis fund. A portion of this money comes from the Cannabis Impact Zone Funds of the state, which are aimed at addressing the disproportionate effects of the drug-war.
These funds are only available to applicants who operate in the so-called Impact Zones, which are defined by factors such as a high rate of marijuana convictions, excessive law enforcement, and high unemployment rates.
Platkin stated in a press statement from his office that “the $15 million grant awards we announce today deepen our commitment to community-led solutions for reducing violence as part our extensive public security strategy alongside traditional law enforcement.”
According to the release, the program’s 2024 funding round “emphasizes and prioritizes certain violence prevention strategies–sometimes called violence intervention or ‘tertiary’ services–that respond to violence by working with individuals who are at a high risk of violence or victimization, typically through street outreach.”
This approach is “different from other prevention strategies such as primary and secondary services which are less focused upon those at highest risk.” Violence interventionists and Outreach workers can respond in real time to situations using methods such as street outreach. This includes in hospitals, outside schools, parks, on streets and at neighborhood events.
The office of Platkin said that “this year’s grant programme increased the total award limit for tertiary services providers to $750,000. This increase, among other benefits, allows them expand their capacity.”
The AG’s Office said that the funding cycle for the year will support 29 programs across 11 counties. “This includes services in 14 of 15 communities most affected by shooting incidents.”
Two categories of grants were due in September. One was capped at $750,000 and served organizations that serve “individuals at risk because they live in a high-violence community or are at high risk for violence as a result past victimization, or retaliation.” The other category had a cap of $500,000 and served groups that “serve individuals at risk” due to “living in a high-violence community or have a family member involved in gangs.”
New Jersey is one of the majority of states that have legalized cannabis and invest at least a portion of their revenue in community reinvestment.
Missouri announced recently that nearly $17 Million in marijuana revenue will be used to support veterans’ health, drug treatment, and legal aid.
California announced in August that it would be accepting applications for $48 Million in marijuana tax-funded grants. These grants support job placements, legal assistance and treatment for mental health and addiction disorders. They also refer to medical care. This program, which offers grants up to $3,000,000, is funded solely by state cannabis revenues.
The Department of Cannabis Control in California had announced months earlier that it would award $4.1 Million to 18 local governments as part of a groundbreaking program designed to support cannabis licensing programs and reduce the illicit market.
DCC also awarded nearly $20,000,000 in grants funded by marijuana taxes to 16 academic institutions for research into cannabis, including novel cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC, and genetics of many “legacy strains” throughout the state. In February, California officials awarded $15 million to local efforts to promote equity within the marijuana industry.
Illinois distributed $45 million last year in grants under its Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Program, which was created under the state’s Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization Law. The funds were distributed to 148 organizations that operate on small budgets and are located in socioeconomically challenged communities.
Arizona has set aside 10 percent from the marijuana tax revenue to create a Justice Redevelopment Fund. This fund provides funding for public health services, counseling and job training, as well as other social services in communities affected negatively by marijuana arrests. The state opened applications for its first round of grants in that program.
A new interactive federal map shows how states rely on marijuana tax revenue to fund public services
The article New Jersey Awards 15 Million Dollars To Community Violence Intervention Funded Partly By Marijuana tax Revenue first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
