A little over a week ago it seemed as if efforts by New Jersey lawmakers to legalize marijuana for recreational use could continue to drag on indefinitely. However, in a surprise move, three new bills were unveiled and then overwhelmingly approved by the state’s Senate and Assembly panels last week.
One of three bills, if signed by Gov. Phil Murphy will legalize adult-use marijuana. Another expands the state's existing medical cannabis program. And a third bill creates a system that would speed up criminal expungements of low-level cannabis offenses.