By Ras J. Baraka and Steven M. Fulop

New Jersey is going to soon legalize recreational marijuana use. While not every state resident is excited by this step, we believe legalizing what are regularly occurring activities makes sense.

Not only will it bring about an important element of justice as far too many men of color were incarcerated for actions that no longer will be illegal but also increased revenue flows will give some relief to overburdened taxpayers.

Still, before recreational use is legal, the Murphy administration has more immediate decisions to make. In the next few weeks the New Jersey Department of Health will award licenses to six medical marijuana dispensaries doubling the number in the state to 12. Over 140 applications were submitted for these six slots, showing the market demand corporate investors believe exists in New Jersey.

This presents the Murphy administration with the ability to help deliver economic growth to our urban centers. Under federal law no cannabis merchandise can legally cross state lines. This means all marijuana products - both medicinal and recreational - need to be cultivated, manufactured, distributed and sold in New Jersey.

By expanding the use, an entirely new industry is being introduced into our state.

Marijuana cultivation is a 24/7/365 operation in sophisticated growing centers using advanced technology to grow, harvest and then manufacture marijuana products. The job opportunities are substantial.

That is why the companies receiving the six dispensary licenses must show a commitment to those communities that up to this point have been the most adversely effected by cannabis prohibition. The most concrete and direct way an applicant can demonstrate its corporate commitment to make a positive impact would be to locate cultivation and manufacturing facilities in urban communities, where hundreds of good paying, likely union jobs will be created.

The easy approach for applicants is to choose to open cultivation and manufacturing facilities in less expensive, rural locations and only use urban locations for retail stores where the jobs creation will be less significant -- at lower pay -- with fewer opportunities for advancement.

Certainly, all of the six applicants will be highly qualified operators. The governor has correctly pushed hard to expand this market, knowing of the job and revenue creation opportunities. He has also spoken eloquently about the need to equal the scales of justice for a population that has borne too much of the burden when it comes to incarceration.

Now, he must connect criminal justice reform with job opportunities. Too many ex-offenders find it difficult to restart their lives. Working in cultivation and manufacturing facilities will offer a great chance to help them get a step forward in rebuilding their lives and becoming contributing members of their communities.

For residents of our cities who have paid a huge price for selling and using marijuana -- unlike those in live in suburban and rural towns in New Jersey, bringing marijuana production to our cities provides a real opportunity to help those who have been harshly punished for minimal offenses that are no longer crimes.

We are raising the issue now, prior to licenses being issued and legislation being finalized. We want to influence not only this round of licensing, but future rounds as well.

Gov. Phil Murphy often talks about the need to bring all state residents of New Jersey into better economic situations.

This is a golden opportunity to put true meaning to his words and make a huge impact as it relates to job creation and professional development in Jersey City, Newark and Paterson.

Ras J. Baraka is mayor of the City of Newark.

Steven M. Fulop is mayor of Jersey City.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Interested in the marijuana business industry? NJ Cannabis Insider is a new premium intelligence briefing that features exclusive weekly content geared toward entrepreneurs, lawyers and realtors. View a sample issue.

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