Gov. Chris Christie stands firm against recreational marijuana

TRENTON, N.J., April 22 (UPI) -- Despite public statements supporting smokeless medical marijuana in his state, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is taking a hard line on recreational use.

Yesterday, during his monthly “Ask the Governor” call-in show on New Jersey 101.5, Christie countered a caller’s inquiries about the potential tax windfall of legalizing marijuana by questioning the "quality of life" in Washington and Colorado, where the drug is legal for recreational use.

"For the people who are enamored with the idea with the income, the tax revenue from this, go to Colorado and see if you want to live there," Christie said.

"See if you want to live in a major city in Colorado where there's head shops popping up on every corner and people flying into your airport just to come and get high. To me, it's just not the quality of life we want to have here in the state of New Jersey and there's no tax revenue that's worth that."

"It may come down the road when I’m gone. It's not going to come while I’m here," he added.

New Jersey is one of 21 states and the District of Columbia where marijuana can be legally purchased for medical purposes, while Colorado and Washington are the only states where the drug can be sold for recreation.

If Christie survives the "Bridgegate" investigation without prosecution, he is expected to run for the Republican nomination for President in 2016.