An agreement on marijuana legalization in New Jersey isn’t yet complete, and despite recent progress and optimism, there’s still not a timetable for a vote.
Reports were published Friday night that a deal had finally been reached on one of Gov. Phil Murphy’s campaign promises and first-year priorities. But after signing an unrelated law Tuesday expanding New Jersey’s paid family leave program, Murphy indicated to reporters that work on the issue continues.
“We had a very constructive meeting on Thursday. I think I would say optimistic, but we’re still trying to machine this through to get it over the goal line,” Murphy said. “But I think we’re all working really hard to get this done.”
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, who also attended the bill-signing ceremony, described the negotiations as ongoing in echoing Murphy’s assessment.
“I have steadfastly resisted the temptation to talk about ongoing legislative negotiations,” Coughlin said. “But I think that the governor’s right when he says that we had a very, very productive meeting on Thursday, and I think we’re all optimistic about being able to get the ball over the goal line.”