A grow light shines through the leaves of a cannabis plant at Northern Lights grow facility in Denver on March 27, 2014.

New Jersey Cannabusiness Association leads marijuana legalization discussion with state officials

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Hundreds of state and local government officials and police officers from across New Jersey met in Trenton to discuss marijuana legalization.

The New Jersey Cannabusiness Association, which backs legalization, sponsored the event on Tuesday in Trenton. Organizers said at least 250 officials attended.

It comes as Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy and some Democrats in the Legislature are pushing to make New Jersey the 10th state to legalize recreational marijuana.

Democrats control state government but some raise doubts about legalization.

Democratic Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro, of Hoboken, attended the event and said she’s “on the fence” over concerns about young people using the drug.

Scott Rudder, the association’s president, says the point of the seminar was to get the “conversation started,” not yet to persuade lawmakers to vote yes.

Legislation is pending.