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Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union), is traveling to Colorado in June on a reconnaissance mission as he draws up his latest legislation that would legalize marijuana in New Jersey. (File photo by Tony Kurdzuk | The Star-Ledger)

When it comes to marijuana matters in New Jersey politics, Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) is the go-to guy in the Senate. He sponsored the medical marijuana law, as well as a failed measure to legalize and tax the drug in the Garden State.

But Scutari said he's never even tried pot, and has yet to visit Colorado -- the birthplace of the nation's growing legalization movement.

In about two weeks, he will visit the Rocky Mountain High state for a "reconnaissance" mission. Scutari said he plans to meet with members of Gov. John Hickenlooper's administration and the cannabis industry to learn from their trial and error.

Legal pot in Colorado generated $135 million in sales tax revenue in 2015.

Scutari said he has spoken to many Coloradans by telephone and done a lot of reading, "but there is no substitute for going out there."

Scutari said he's intrigued by Colorado's strategy to offer franchise fees and other incentives to communities that allow recreational growers or dispensaries to take root. Early on, New Jersey's medical marijuana program suffered multiple setbacks because of the "not in my backyard" attitude.

His meetings will help put the finishing touches on a new legalization bill that has piqued the interest of a growing number of his colleagues, despite Gov. Chris Christie's vehement opposition.

"When people ask you how much tax revenue New Jersey could generate, you know they are getting more comfortable with the idea," he said.

But, will Scutari, an attorney and municipal prosecutor for Linden, finally try marijuana?

Probably not, he told The Auditor with a laugh, "but you never know."