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>> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TODAY REQUIRING VACCINATIONS AND BOOSTERS FOR ALL HEALTHCARE WORKERS, SAYING THEY WILL NO LONGER HAVE AN OPTION FOR WEEKLY TESTING.

THE ORDER ALSO COVERS WORKERS IN HIGH-RISK SETTINGS, SUCH AS LONG-TERM CARE AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

MURPHY NOTED THAT THE TEST OF OPTION IS ALREADY COMING TO AN END FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS, AS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT UPHELD THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATIONS VACCINE MANDATE FOR THOSE WORKING IN HEALTHCARE.

TODAY, THE STATE REPORTED NEARLY 8300 NEW COVID-19 CASES, AND AN ADDITIONAL 145 DEATHS.

NEW JERSEY'S RATE OF TRANSMISSION REMAINS BELOW 1, WHICH INDICATES THE LATEST OUTBREAK IS ON THE DECLINE.

TO HELP CONTROL THE SPREAD OF COVID, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL DISTRIBUTE 400 MILLION AND 95 MASKS FOR FREE STARTING NEXT WEEK AT CERTAIN PHARMACIES AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS.

GOVERNOR LIPPI'S ORDER TODAY COMES AS MANY NURSING HOMES ARE STRUGGLING WITH STAFFING SHORTAGES, AS THEIR WORKERS CALL OUT SICK WITH COVID.

BUT, HELP IS HERE.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD ARE NOW SUPPORTING WEARIES STUFF AT NURSING HOMES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN, WENT TO BROADWAY HOUSE IN NEWARK AS A NATIONAL GUARD ROAD IN.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES.

>> NURSES THIS MORNING WELCOME NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD REINFORCEMENTS TO THE COVID ISOLATION UNIT FOR 9 INFECTED PATIENTS AT ROADWAY HOUSE, A 78 LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY MOSTLY FOR HIV-AIDS RESIDENCE.

10 GUARDSMEN GOT RIGHT TO WORK SUPPORTING STAFF, BOUND IN PPE, COUPLES ARE JUST MOVED ONE RECOVERING PATIENT OUT OF QUARANTINE GOOD >> THERE TO HELP MOVE THEM FORWARD.

THE FACILITATOR IS TAKING ONE FOR THE NEXT.

>> STATEWIDE NEW JERSEY REPORTED MORE THAN ANY 700 LONG- TERM CARE RESIDENTS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID AS OF TODAY, AND MORE THAN 12,300 STAFFERS.

ON JANUARY 6, GOVERNOR MURPHY ORDERED THE GUARD TO HELP, AND THAT BROUGHT MICHAEL MALONE OF TOMS RIVER HERE TO GUIDE THIS HOSPITAL BED.

THEIR WEEKLONG MISSION HOLD A DEEP PERSONAL MEANING, MARONE IS DOING IT FOR HIS GEAR GRANDMA THAT DIED OF COVID.

>> IT'S HEARTBREAKING.

I MISS HER AND IT'S JUST, IT'S NOT THE SAME ANYMORE.

THIS IS MY WAY OF GIVING BACK TO THE MEDICAL PROVIDERS.

>> WE'VE BEEN THROUGH NUMEROUS POWERPOINT SLIDES, HANDS-ON TRAINING, PPE TRAINING.

SO, WE FEEL CONFIDENT WE CAN GET THE JOB DONE.

>> THE SURGE HAS APPARENTLY PEAKED IN NEW JERSEY.

HOSPITALIZATIONS AND CASELOADS ON THE DOWN SWING.

HERE AT OPERA HOUSE, STAFF AND RESIDENTS RECOVERING FROM THE LATEST WAVE.

BUT, IT'S BEEN ROUGH, AND THESE EXTRA HANDS ARE MOST WELCOME.

>> IT'S A GOOD REALLY FRUSTRATED AND WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> LOIS BEATTY DIRECTS AFFAIRS, HERE.

SHE SAYS OMICRON KNOCKED OUT 25% OF HER STAFF.

SOME FOR MORE THAN ONE WEEK.

WHILE MOST HAVE A COVER, THEY ARE EXHAUSTED.

>> IT HELPS THE STAFF, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW.

WE HAVE, WHEN WE HAVE THOSE 26 PEOPLE OUT, THAT WAS HARD.

WE NEEDED THESE EXTRA HANDS.

RIGHT NOW, FOR US, KNOW THAT WE ARE COMING DOWN TOWARDS THE END.

>> DESPITE THE HIGH INFECTION RATE ALMOST ALL STAFF WILL SOON BE BACK TO WORK AT BROADWAY HOUSE, AND THE CEO CREDITS THEIR MAJOR VACCINATION PUSH.

>> WE MADE A MAJOR PUSH AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC TO TRY TO VACCINATE AS MANY STAFF MEMBERS AS WE POSSIBLY COULD.

IT TOOK ABOUT 6 MONTHS TO GET THERE, BUT LAST SEPTEMBER, ALL OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS, AND ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS, WERE FULLY VACCINATED WITH TWO DOSES SHOULD AND, WERE ALMOST ABOUT 80% VACCINATED WITH THE BOOSTER.

>>, STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT BOOSTER AIDS REMAIN LOW, JUST 43% COMPARED TO 80% OF RESIDENCE, AND DESPITE OMICRON APPARENTLY RETREATED, THAT IS NOT THE CASE AMONG ALL IS NEW JERSEY'S LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

127 OF THEM REPORTED COVID BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS ON DECEMBER 1st.

THEN, MORE THAN DOUBLED CHRISTMAS DAY.

TRIPLED NEW YEAR'S DAY, AND IT IS STILL RISING TODAY AT 557.

THAT HELPED PROMPT GOVERNOR MURTHY'S LATEST ORDER, REQUIRING VACCINATIONS AND BOOSTERS WITHOUT A TESTING ON HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND STAFF IN CONGREGANT SETTINGS.

>> THE SCIENCE TELLS US THAT IT IS NO LONGER GOOD ENOUGH TO JUST RECEIVE YOUR PRIMARY SERIES.

BEING BOOSTED IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU.

THEREFORE EVERYONE WHO WORKS IN THE SETTINGS ALSO REQUIRED TO GET THERE BOOSTER.

IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE FOR BUT YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT, PLEASE GO GET IT.

>> MEANWHILE, NEW JERSEY'S NATIONAL GUARD HAS STEPPED THAT.

>> VINTAGES NATIONAL GUARD HAS 15 DIFFERENT TEAMS ABOUT 150 DIFFERENT NUMBERS.

SPREAD OUT TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> OVERALL, 650 NATIONAL GUARDSMEN ARE ALSO ASSISTING IN PUBLIC VACCINATION SITES AND VETERANS HOMES AT BROADWAY HOUSE, LIEUTENANT JONATHAN WORRELL, EXPLAINED HE LOST HIS MOM TO COVID.

HE SAYS EVERYONE FEELS CONNECTED.

>> THIS IS A MISSION WE ALL BELIEVE IN.

IT'S AFFECTED EVERYONE PERSONALLY AT THIS POINT.

>> I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY RE- DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, THAT ACTIVATED A LAW THAT ALLOWS THE STATE TO RELEASE SOME INMATES FROM PRISONS UP TO 8 MONTHS EARLY.

THE PUBLIC HEALTH CREDITS PROGRAM BEGAN IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 WHEN THE STATE STARTED RELEASING INMATES FROM PRISONS IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE CROWDING AND PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE RELEASED BETWEEN THEN AND WHEN THE PROGRAM ENDED IN OCTOBER OF 2021.

ACCORDING TO A REPORT FROM WNYC'S GOT THE MIST, THERE WAS A 9 PERCENT RECIDIVISM RATE WITH INMATES RELEASED IN THE PROGRAM.

RAVEN SANTANA CAUGHT UP WITH THOSE EARLY RELEASED MEN TO SEE HOW THEY HAVE FOLLOWED UP.

>> PEOPLE ARE DRINKING AND SMOKING AND DRILLING DRUGS EVERY DAY.

I LEFT IT AT ONE TIME.

TO BE ABLE TO NOT DO THAT, THAT IS A BLESSING.

>> MOHAMED WHO SERVE SIX YEARS IN PRISON GOT A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY BEGAN RELEASING NONVIOLENT INMATES FROM STATE PRISONS IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 TO LESSEN CROWDING AND PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID.

MOHAMMED WAS RELEASED NINE MONTHS AGO.

NOW, HE HAS A CLEAN SLATE.

JOB AT THE CITY OF NEWARK, AND HE CELEBRATED HIS SEVENTH YEAR OF BEING SOBER.

THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THIS OPPORTUNITY, INCLUDING 48-YEAR-OLD ROBERT FIDELITY WHO WAS RELEASED IN JULY AFTER SERVING 27 YEARS FOR AGGRAVATED MANSLAUGHTER.

HE IS GRATEFUL FOR A CHANCE TO PROVE HE HAS LEARNED HIS MISTAKES.

STEIMLE >> PEOPLE LIKE ME HAVE BEEN THERE FOR MANY YEARS THAT HAVE SO THEY CAN CHANGE, THEY ASKED FOR HELP.

USUALLY A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T ASK FOR HELP, BUT I ASKED FOR HELP, AND THEY ACTUALLY GOT IT.

SO, RIGHT NOW, IT'S JULY, AND NOW, I AM NOT WITH LOCAL WELFARE OR SOCIAL SERVICES, I AM ON MY OWN.

I HAVE A GOOD PAYING JOB.

I GET PAID EVERY WEEK.

I HAVE MY OWN APARTMENT NOW.

>> AT ONE POINT DURING THE PANDEMIC, NEW JERSEY PRISONS HAD THE HIGHEST COVID DEATH RATE IN THE COUNTRY, WHICH PROMPTED THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO LAUNCH ITS PUBLIC HEALTH CREDITS AGAIN.

IT ALLOWED INMATES WITHIN A YEAR OF THE RELEASE DATE TO BE RELEASED UP TO 8 MONTHS EARLY.

OR THAN 2000 INMATES WERE RELEASED ON A SINGLE DAY IN NOVEMBER OF 2020 AND THE PROGRAM LET OUT MORE THAN 5000 BEFORE IT ENDED IN OCTOBER OF 2021.

NOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED A NEW PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, AND THAT HAS REACTIVATED THE PROGRAM.

TODD CLEAR, A CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSOR AT RUTGERS AND SAYS INMATES RELEASED EARLY ARE UNLIKELY TO REOFFEND.

>> OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS, WE HAVE SYSTEMATICALLY LENGTHENED THE PRISON TERMS THAT PEOPLE SERVE FURTHER RELEASED FROM PRISON.

THE QUESTION IS NOT WHAT BENEFIT DOES THAT HAVE, AND NOW THEY HAVE A MOUNTING RESEARCH THAT NOT ONLY HAS IT DECIMATED THE INNER-CITY COMMUNITIES AND SO ON.

SO, THE LINK OF THIS STAY IN PRISON HAS ALMOST NOTHING TO DO WITH HOW WELL A PERSON DOES ONCE RELEASED FROM PRISON.

THE TAKE AWAY HERE IS THAT NEW JERSEY CAN AFFORD TO REDUCE ITS PRISON POPULATION BY REDUCING THE STAY FOR ALMOST ACROSS THE BOARD.

THE ORDER WAS THEY KEEP THE PEACE AND IN PRISON A LONG TIME IS TO MAKE A PUBLIC STATEMENT ABOUT THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CRIME, PUBLIC SAFETY IS NOT AT STAKE.

>> THE FORMER INMATES I SPOKE WITH INCLUDING 62-YEAR-OLD, FRANK PIERRE NOTED THAT REENTRY PROGRAMS KEPT THEM ON TRACK AND PREVENTED THEM FROM REOFFENDING.

>> WHAT HE'S DOING IS THE RIGHT THING, BUT THE PROBLEM IS ONCE YOU GET RELEASED, THERE'S NOTHING THERE.

THERE'S REALLY NOTHING THERE.

I MEAN, LOOK AT ME.

I GOT RELEASED IN A PRISON UNIFORM $28 INTO PRESIDENCY.

AND WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?

MY MIND WAS ALREADY MADE UP WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO.

IT DOES NOT WORK >> THE FIRST ROUND WENT FAR BETTER THAN EXPECTED BECAUSE I THINK WE ALL WERE ON THE SAME PAGE.

WE WORK TOGETHER.

I THINK THERE WAS SOME CONCERNS IN TERMS OF IDENTIFICATIONS BUT, WE WERE ABLE BASICALLY TELLING PEOPLE UP WITH HOUSING.

OBVIOUSLY, MEDICINE, OR ACCESS TO MEDICINE, PARTICULARLY MEDICAID.

IT'S ABOUT HAVING THE NECESSARY BACKUP, IF YOU WILL, TO PLAN A, TO PLAN B, TO PLAN C. WE HAD ENOUGH TIME TO PLAN THOUGHTFULLY AND TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE WERE PREPARED.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF THE CREDITS WERE INCARCERATED PEOPLE THAT WILL CONTINUE WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

THE INMATES DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE RELEASED FOR THE HEALTH EMERGENCY, BUT THEY WILL ONCE AGAIN BE ABLE TO LEAVE PRISON EIGHT MONTHS EARLY IF THEY QUALIFY.

THERE IS STILL NO TIMELINE YET ON WHEN THE RELEASES WILL RESUME OFF THEIR SENTENCES IF THEY CALL HER.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> BEFORE BEING SWORN IN FOR A SECOND TERM IN OFFICE, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY SIGNED MORE THAN 100 BILLS INTO LAW YESTERDAY.

AMONG THEM WAS A BILL TO EXPAND NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS IN NEW JERSEY.

THE NEW LAW EMPOWERS THE STATE TO APPROVE OR END NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, WHICH ARE ALSO KNOWN AS HARM REDUCTION CENTERS.

MURPHY ALSO SIGNED INTO LAW A CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT WILL ALLOW OFFICERS TO REVIEW VIDEO FROM THEIR BODY CHEMISTRY FOR WRITING THEIR INITIAL REPORTS IN CERTAIN CASES.

AS WELL AS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD EXPAND MANDATORY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRAINING FOR OFFICERS AND OTHERS CONNECTED TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

ANOTHER HIGH-PROFILE BILL SIGNED INTO LAW HAS TO DO WITH EDUCATION.

IT REQUIRES THE SCHOOLS TEACH ASIAN-AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HISTORY FOR K-12 STUDENTS.

NEW JERSEY IS ONLY THE SECOND STATE IN THE NATION TO REQUIRE THIS.

MEANTIME, THE GOVERNOR ALSO POCKET VETOED SEVERAL BILLS, INCLUDING ONE THAT ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS ON THE SALE OF HOME BAKED GOODS.

IF THE GOVERNOR IS LOOKING FOR ANY HELP FROM CONGRESS FOR HIS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, THE FIGHT BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS OVER THE REDRAWING OF THE STATES CONGRESSIONAL MAP WILL NEED TO BE SORTED OUT.

SO, BE SURE TO TUNE INTO THE CHAT BOX WITH SR.

CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUISE TOMORROW NIGHT AS HE LOOKS AT WHAT REDISTRICTING MEANS FOR YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY.

THAT IS THURSDAY AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM .

PATTERSON IS JUST ONE OF TWO CITIES IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, AND 15 WORLDWIDE THAT IS GETTING A ONE MILLION-DOLLAR BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPY GRANT FOR A PROFIT TO HELP DRUG ADDICTS WHO RECEIVE TREATMENT.

THE PROGRAM KNOWN AS REAL FIX OFFERS FAST TRACKED 24/7 TREATMENT TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING REVIEWED USE DISORDER.

CAUGHT UP WITH THE MAYOR, ANDRE SAIA TO FIND OUT MORE.

>> FIRST OF ALL, GREAT TO SEE YOU AS YOU ARE EN ROUTE BACK TO CITY HALL THIS AFTERNOON.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU DID JUST GET A RATHER LARGE SUM COMING YOUR WAY TO SOLVE A BIG PROBLEM, AND THAT'S OPIOID ADDICTION.

LET'S START WITH SOME BACKGROUND.

HOW HAS OPIOID ADDICTION AFFECTED PEOPLE IN YOUR CITY, AND HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC MADE IT WORSE?

>> RHONDA, I'M GLAD YOU READ THAT POINT.

PRIOR TO THE PRESIDENT, WE DEFINITELY HAD AN OPIOID DEPUTY EPIDEMIC IN OUR CITY.

WHICH IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO PATTERSON BUT IT IS FAMILIES PEER PEOPLE LOST LIVES, AND IT'S JUST NOT WITHIN OUR BORDERS.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE FROM SURROUNDING TOWNS THAT HAVE COME TO PATTERSON AS A DESTINATION FOR DRUGS, AND HAVE DIED AS A RESULT.

AND, WITH AN APPLICATION FOR THIS GLOBAL MAYERS TONES, WE INCLUDED THERE WERE OVER 1700 OVERDOSES A LOW LAST YEAR.

AND, YOU LIKE TO THINK THAT THE PANDEMIC PLAYED A ROLE BECAUSE IT DRIVES UP NOT ONLY DEMAND BUT DESPAIR.

AND PEOPLE, UNFORTUNATELY SOMETIMES RESORT TO DRUG USE WHEN THEY ARE DEPRESSED.

>> YOU HAD SOME MONEY AND YOU HOPED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM FURTHER THROUGH AN INITIATIVE CALLED REAL FIX.

HOW DOES THIS PROGRAM, GOING TO WORK?

HOW WILL IT COMPLEMENT OTHER SERVICES IN THE CITY ALREADY?

>> SO, WE ALREADY PILOTED THE PROGRAM AND REAL FIX IS TO COUNTER WHAT WE CONSIDERED THE FAKE FIX.

WHATEVER YOU'RE ADDICTED TO.

HEROIN, ANY OTHER OPIOID IS A FAKE FIX BECAUSE IT'S ONLY GOING TO WORSEN YOUR CONDITION, BUT THE REAL FIX IS TO HOPEFULLY WEAN YOU OFF WHATEVER YOU'RE ADDICTED TO AND GET YOU ON A PATH OF SEVERITY.

SO, WE ESTABLISHED A HOTLINE CALLED REAL FIX AND PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION CAN CALL THE HOTLINE.

THEY WILL BE CONNECTED WITH A TELE-DOCK.

THEY WILL PRESCRIBE MEDICATION FROM THE PHARMACY.

AND THE PHARMACY WILL DELIVER THE SUBOXONE AND THAT INDIVIDUAL WILL NOT ONLY RECEIVE THE TREATMENT, BUT, HE OR SHE WILL BE CONNECTED WITH A COUNSELOR SO THAT HE OR SHE CAN FINALLY BECOME CLEAN AND SOBER.

>> HOW IS IT GOING SO FAR?

>> WANTED PILOTED, IT WAS SUCCESSFUL.

THAT WAS WHY WE ARE ONE OF ONLY 15 WINNERS IN THE WORLD OF THIS MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT OPPORTUNITY.

>> HOW TYPICAL IS IT TO GET PEOPLE WHO DESPERATELY NEED TREATMENT, BECAUSE FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO GET THEM TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE GETTING HELP.

>> IS A TERM.

SERVICE RESISTANT.

SO THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF SERVICE RESISTANCE AND PATTERSON AND THEN MAYBE SOME SHAME INVOLVED, THEY DON'T WANT THEIR IDENTITIES TO BE DISCLOSED, FAMILIES MIGHT FIND OUT.

SO, WE HAVE TO OVERCOME THAT HURDLE.

BUT, WE ARE MAKING THAT EXTRA TIME BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE AN OPIOID RESPONSE TEAM THAT IS ENGAGING INDIVIDUALS ON OUR STREETS.

HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE ADDICTED TO DRUGS.

AND THAT RESPONSE TEAM IS COMPRISED OF AN EMT WITHIN OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, A POLICE OFFICER AND AN OUTREACH WORKER FROM ONE OF OUR LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SPECIFICALLY THE VILLAGE WHICH HELPS HOMELESS.

AND, THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

>> GOOD LUCK WITH THE PROGRAM, AND GOOD TALKING TO YOU THERE AS YOU ARE TRAVELING BACK TO PATTERSON CAN'T GET APPRECIATED.

I THINK IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU, I WAS GOING TO PICK UP THE CHECK BUT YOU CANNOT DEPOSIT THOSE.

>> NO, YOU CANNOT.

THANK YOU, MAYOR.

>> IN QUEUE.

>> NEW JERSEY'S LEGALIZED MEDICAL MARIJUANA MARKET WAS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED RELIEF TO RESIDENTS STRUGGLING WITH VARIOUS AILMENTS.

SO, FOR SOME RESIDENTS, THE COST OF BUYING MARIJUANA AT ONE OF THE DISPENSARIES IN THE STATE IS JUST TOO HIGH, AND IT'S CHEAPER TO BUY MARIJUANA ON THE BLOCK BLACK MARKET TO HELP REDUCE THE COST.

ADVOCATES ARGUE THE STATE SHALAL RESIDENCE TO GROW THEIR OWN MARIJUANA PLANTS.

A BILL TO DO JUST THAT HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE, BUT IT MAY NOT HAVE THE BACKING TO ADVANCE.

ALYSSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS ON WHY MARIJUANA PRICES ARE SO HIGH, AND WHAT SOLUTIONS ARE BEING OFFERED TO FIX THAT.

>> ICDS DISPENSARIES LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK.

>> J LASSITER HAS BEEN USING MARIJUANA MEDICINALLY FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS, BUT LASSITER SAYS NEW JERSEY'S MEDICAL DISPENSARY PRICES ARE JUST TOO HIGH, SO HE WOULD RATHER GET WHAT HE NEEDS ANOTHER WAY.

>> TO GO TO A DISPENSARY, YOU'RE GOING TO PAY BETWEEN 400 AND $450 FOR AN OUNCE OF CANNABIS.

AND ON THE BLACK MARKET, MY DEALER COMES IN AROUND $250- $300 AN OUNCE, SO IT IS CHEAPER RIGHT OFF THE.

NOT ONLY IS IT YOU BUT I DON'T HAVE THE SALES TAX ON IT.

I DON'T HAVE TO PAY IT DR. $200 A YEAR TO PROVE TO THE DOCTOR THAT I'M STILL HIV-POSITIVE TO QUALIFY FOR THIS PROGRAM, AND THEN YOU GOD THE CHARGE, JUST TO HAVE THE CARD, WHICH IS ANOTHER $100.

>> THAT'S WHY THERE'S A PUSH TO MAKE ETHICAL MARIJUANA MORE AFFORDABLE THAN THE STATE.

>> WE KNOW AND WE KNOWN FOR SOME TIME THAT NEW JERSEY HAS SOME HIGH PRICES WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICAL CANNABIS TRADE AND IT'S BEEN A GOAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND OTHER CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE PRICES AND IT GOES BACK TO ECONOMICS 101 WHEN YOU HAVE 12 SUPPLIERS AND 125,000 PATIENTS.

THERE'S GOING TO BE INCENTIVE TO REDUCE PRICES.

IN THE INCREASING COMPETITION AND INCREASING SUPPLY.

>> LAST MONTH, THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION BEGAN TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR PROSPECTIVE LEADERS AND NOW ADVOCATES ARE ALSO FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO OWN MARIJUANA AT HOME.

ALTHOUGH, THAT WOULD ALLOW RESIDENTS TO DO SO.

IT WAS REINTRODUCED INTO THE CITY LAST WEEK.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE PRICING STRUCTURE RIGHT NOW, IT IS PRESSING PEOPLE OUT.

ACTUALLY FROM GETTING THE MEDICINE.

SO, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT I THINK DOES NOT DISRUPTS OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

SO MANY STATES HAVE DONE THIS IN PARALLEL TO NO TRUE DETRIMENT TO THE INTERESTED.

>> WE ARE NOW TALKING ABOUT A MAJOR FARMING YOUR HOUSE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF PERSONAL PLANS.

>> CHRIS GOLDSTEIN IS THE REGIONAL ORGANIZER FOR THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR THE REFORM OF MARIJUANA LAWS.

HE SAYS HIGH PRICES IN NEW JERSEY ARE FORCING MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS TO GO ELSEWHERE, LIKE MAINE, WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO ACCESS DISPENSARIES THERE.

>> WE FIND PRICES UP THERE MUCH MORE RESULT.

TALKING $75-$120 FOR AN OUNCE.

AGAIN, THAT IS A BIG DIFFERENCE COMPARED TO THE $320 TO $480 PER OUNCE THAT ARE IN MOST DISPENSARIES IN NEW JERSEY.

SO AGAIN, THAT IS HALF AS MUCH.

AS THIRD AS MUCH OF THE PRICES.

AND IF YOU'RE TRYING TO PROVIDE FOR A NUMBER OF PATIENTS IN THE HOUSEHOLD, THAT IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

>> THE STATES LARGEST MEDICAL DISPENSARY RESPONDED TO CLAIMS THAT ARE PRICES THAT ARE TOO HIGH SAYING IN A STATEMENT, PRICING NEW JERSEY, WHICH HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST REAL ESTATE TAXES AND OPERATIONAL COSTS IN THE COUNTRY, IS SUBMITTED TO STATE REGULATORS AND COMPRISED OF ALL STATE AND LOCAL REGULATIONS.

NEW JERSEY PRICING IS ALIGNED WITH THE LOCAL MARKETS AND IS SIMILARLY PRICED TO ENABLE AND REGULATED MARKETS IN CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, AND MASSACHUSETTS.

THE COMPANY ALSO SAYS OF SELLING AN OUNCE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR ABOUT $200.

ADVOCATES BELIEVE MORE STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE.

RIGHT NOW, THE HOMEGROWN MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL IS BEING REVIEWED IN THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE.

SENATE PRESIDENT, A STRONG OPPONENT OF CANNABIS REFORM SAYS HE'S NOT AGAINST NEW JERSEY GROWING MARIJUANA AT HOME.

BUT, DOES NOT FEEL NOW IS THE TIME.

ADVOCATES ARE HOPING HE CHANGES HIS MIND AND REDUCES THE COST OF MARIJUANA SO HE CAN GO FORWARD.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> PHARMACIES AROUND NEW JERSEY ARE STARTING TO RUN LOW ON COLD AND FLU MEDICINE.

IT'S A PROBLEM CAUSED BY SUPPLY- CHAIN ISSUES AT A TIME WHERE THERE IS INCREASED SEASONAL DEMAND WITH WALGREENS AND CVS TELLING NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THEY ARE SEEING SHORTAGES THAT ARE LIMITED TO ISOLATED STORMS , OR SPECIFIC BRANDS.

DAVID DREYFUS, THE PROFESSOR OF SUPPLY-CHAIN MANAGEMENT AT THE RUTGERS SCHOOL SAYS THE PROBLEM TO SUPPLY-CHAIN HANGUPS FILLED BY LABOR SHORTAGES DURING THE OMICRON SEARCHER IMPACTING CONSUMERS.

>> I THINK OVER THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE CERTAIN PRODUCTS IN CERTAIN INDUSTRIES EXPERIENCE SHORTAGES.

IT COULD BE DUE TO LABOR, IT COULD BE DUE TO OTHER FORCES OUTSIDE THEIR CONTROL.

AND YOU KNOW, COMING IN.

WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS COMING FROM ABROAD.

WE STILL HAVE, VERY COMPLEX AND GLOBALIZED SUPPLY CHAINS.

WHILE THINGS MAY LOOK GOOD HERE.

LOCALLY, IN TERMS OF CASE COUNTS AND SO FORTH WITH COVID.

DOES NOT MEAN THAT OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY ARE PAROLED OR NOT HAVING THEIR OWN ISSUES.

>> INTERNET SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, NEWLY RELEASED EVIDENCE FROM THE TRIAL BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE COMPANY WHOLE TECH REVEALS HOW THE STATE HANDED OUT TAX BASE OF THE COMPANY WITH MINIMAL OVERSIGHT.

THAT LEGAL BATTLE ENDED WITH A JUDGE ORDERED NEW JERSEY TO HAND OVER $26 MILLION IN TAX CREDITS TO THE COMPANY.

WHICH ALSO EMITTED INFORMATION ON ITS APPLICATION FOR THOSE TAX CREDITS.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS REVIEWED THE DEPOSITION FROM THE TRIAL IN THE COURT EXHIBITS LEASED THROUGH A PUBLIC INFORMATION REQUEST WE FIRE PIT CONTRIBUTE IN WRITER, JEFF PELLET SPOKE WITH YOU ABOUT WHAT THOSE DOCUMENTS UNCOVERED.

JEFF, NICE TO SEE YOU, FIRST OF ALL.

WE HAVE SOME DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THIS WHOLE TECH CASE.

WHEN DID YOU LEARN ABOUT THE COMPANY AS TAX CREDITS FROM THE STATE.

>> WHAT WE LEARNED, THEY, THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CORPORATE ETHICS OF WHOLE TECH.

THEY WERE CONCEALING INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR PAST.

AND HAD SOME DIFFICULTIES IN PAST CONTRACTING WITH SOME ETHICAL DIFFICULTIES FOR CONNECTION TO A BRIBERY SCAM.

THIS WAS BACK IN 2010.

BUT THEY FAILED TO REVEAL INFORMATION TO THE STATE, AND THEY WERE DOING THEIR DUE DILIGENCE ON THE BACKGROUND OF WHOLE TECH FOR THEY GAVE OUT $260 MILLION IN TAX BREAKS WHICH WAS THE LARGEST IN STATE HISTORY.

THE RESPONSE TO THIS WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED?

>> THEY SAID IT WAS AN OVERSIGHT, THEY TOLD THE STATE IT WAS AN OVERSIGHT.

THE STATE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT, AND THEY IMMEDIATELY FROZE THEIR TAX BREAK, AND IT'S BEEN FROZEN EVER SINCE.

THIS IS OVER 2 YEARS, AND THEY FILED A LAWSUIT SAYING THAT THE MONEY SHOULD BE UNFROZEN.

>> NOW IS, YOU ALSO LEARN SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE EDA'S ROLE, TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

>> THE EDA HAVE THIS PROGRAMS WHERE THEY GIVE OUT TAX BREAKS, THEY OVERSEE THE TAX BREAK PROGRAM FOR THE STATE.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO THAT OF THE CANDIDATES FOR THE TAX BREAKS, LOOK AT THE CORPORATE HISTORY, LOOK AT THE FINANCIAL, THEIR FINANCIALS.

THEY WERE NOT DOING A LOT OF THAT.

AND, SOME OF THAT INFORMATION HAS COME OUT OF THE PAST.

BUT WHAT THESE DOCUMENTS REVEAL IS THAT HE'S NOT EVEN TRY TO DO.

MOSTLY UNDER THE CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION IT WAS REALLY, YOU KNOW, RUSS.

TO GET BUT WHAT HAS BEEN CRITICIZED AS CORPORATE WELFARE.

SO, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT WE FOUND.

>> WELL, THE EDA HAS SAID THAT CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE, SHOULD NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THE TAX BREAKS THAT ARE BEING OFFERED WILL COME WITH FAR MORE DUE DILIGENCE THAN IN THE PAST?

>> I DON'T KNOW MY THING THAT'S AN OPEN QUESTION.

I THINK THAT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TEXT BREAK PROGRAM SHOWS IT WAS OPEN TO ABUSES.

THE EDA SAID THAT THEY MADE CHANGES, BUT UNTIL THEY CAN SHOW US THAT THEY ARE CONFIRMING THAT THESE COMPANIES ARE RECEIVING, ARE DOING WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO, CREATING THE JOBS, AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THEIR BACKGROUND AND THEY ARE NOT CORPORATE CRIMINALS, THAT THEY DESERVE THIS TAXPAYER REVENUE.

THEN, I THINK WE HAVE TO KEEP ON OUR TOES AND WE HAVE TO KEEP WATCHING THEM, SO I THINK IT'S AN OPEN QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR REPORTING.

>> THANK YOU, RHONDA.

>> NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT PLEASE JOIN US FOR A NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE TOMORROW.

ENVIRONMENTAL WRITER, TOM JOHNSON WILL DISCUSS HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS CAUSING MORE INTENSE RAINSTORMS, LEADING TO EXTENSIVE FLOODING HERE IN THE STATE.

TOM MODERATE A PANEL OF EXPERTS, PLUS THE STATE COMMISSIONER FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

THAT IS TOMORROW AT 4:00 P.M. HAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO REGISTER.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT, AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.