(CNN) TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie repeated his well-known opposition to legalizing marijuana in his state, and sharply criticized one that has done just that — Colorado.
Christie was asked by a caller on his monthly “Ask the Governor” radio program on New Jersey 101.5 about revenue and other business benefits of decriminalizing pot.
Christie responded with a flat out no for his state.
“You say it’s going to come down the road. You know it may come down the road when I’m gone. It’s not going to come while I’m here,” he said.
At town halls, he frequently warns that expanded laws could lead to a “slippery slope” of legalized marijuana, like recently passed laws on recreational use in Colorado and Washington state. He has, however, said that he’s willing to think about legalizing medical marijuana in edible form for patients above the age of 18.
Christie later circled back to the issue on the radio show and expanded on his previous answer, bringing up Colorado on his own.
“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,” the Republican 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.”
Although his administration is mired in a political scandal that has helped push down his poll numbers, Christie’s contemplating a presidential run in 2016.
Colorado and its nine electoral votes went blue in the past two presidential elections for Barack Obama.
Christie is chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association. Colorado, however, has a Democratic governor.