New Jersey lawmakers discussed the issue of whether or not it should be legal to smoke marijuana for recreational purposes in New Jersey.

On Monday, the state judiciary committee heard from clergy, health professionals, law enforcement officials and other policy experts in Trenton on the issue. Supporters of legal marijuana carried signs equating laws banning marijuana to the old days of prohibition of alcohol. 

Among the supporters is municipal prosecutor Jon-Henry Barr. Barr says that laws for possession of marijuana are almost impossible to enforce.

"It's antiquated. It's difficult and I've even gone so far as to use the word 'insane'," he says.

Other supporters say that drug possession laws are unfairly applied to minorities and hurt people's education and career opportunities because of a minor offense.

Marijuana has already been legalized for all uses in Colorado, Washington, Oregon and Alaska and for medical use in nearly 20 others, including New Jersey.

New Jersey's medical marijuana law is among the most restrictive, with patients and doctors required to register with the state and each pay a $200 fee. There are five dispensaries. A sixth is pending.

There is a proposed bill in New Jersey that would legalize up to 1 ounce of marijuana for personal use. Opponents say that the bill will not pass.

"If this measure passed and was signed into law, we'd be telling youth that there's really nothing wrong with this drug," says state Sen. Michael Doherty. "But I think there is. I think it's significantly more dangerous than alcohol."

Gov. Chris Christie has said that if such a bill was ever passed, he would veto it while he was governor.