TRENTON -- A trade association has formed to promote the legalization of recreational marijuana in New Jersey after Gov. Chris Christie completes his second and final term in January.

The New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association is amassing support from agriculture, security, technology, chemistry and other markets "as we grow toward a cannabis-based economy in the Garden State," according to an announcement Tuesday from founder Peter Cammarano.

While Christie remains vehemently opposed to legalizing marijuana, Cammarano said now is the time to build support for marijuana legalization among state lawmakers as well as the public, "so next year we are in potions to have the legislation passed and signed into law."

"In other parts of the country, we are seeing a safe and well regulated industry that has lifted the regional economy and generated significant tax revenue," said Cammarano, a lobbyist and the former chief of staff to Gov. and state Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex). "Our current cannabis laws are ineffective and as a result, New Jersey remains mired in dealing with the effects of a black-market industry."

The association "will bring together industry leaders, medical professionals, and policy experts to build support for this long overdue effort," Cammarano said.

Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), who has made multiple visits to Colorado, has promised to introduce a bill soon that would create a legal marijuana program for adult users.

This is the second group that has formed to promote marijuana legalization in the state.

New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform was formed in 2015 and led by civil rights, religious, academic, public safety and political leaders. Last year, the group released a report which estimated recreational marijuana could generate $300 million in state tax revenue.

The New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association is a registered nonprofit trade association. Cammarano, Melissa Dardani of South Brunswick and Dara Servis are listed as trustees on the state incorporation documents.

Cammarano declined to disclose the association's board members on Tuesday, saying he would wait until all of the members had been selected and an inaugural meeting is scheduled.

New Jersey has had a medical marijuana program since December 2012, when the first dispensary opened in Montclair. There are five dispensaries serving 11,800 people.

Voters have approved the sale and use of recreational marijuana in Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Washington D.C., Alaska, California, Nevada, Maine and Massachusetts.

Research Editor Vinessa Erminio contributed to this report.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.