Instead of an excise tax that could be anywhere from 12 percent (Senate President Stephen Sweeney’s stated cap) up to 25 percent (Murphy’s initial offer), there would be a consistent rate based on the amount of the sale no matter what the price is.
Also seen as a positive: Murphy naming George Helmy to be his new chief of staff.
However, another industry insider did not share the rosy outlook.
“Depending on who you talk to you hear different stories. One will say everything’s going great, the next person will say, no progress has been made,” the insider told NJ Cannabis Media.
A legislative source told NJ Advance Media that the sides remain “far apart” on the issues, although Murphy is “legitimately getting along” with Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.
Sweeney told NJ Advance Media that there’s “nothing” new on the marijuana discussions.