New Jersey state lawmakers put the finishing touches on the state's marijuana legalization measure on Monday as New York officials continue to debate their own version of a bill to allow adults to buy retail cannabis.
The final passage of the New Jersey system, signed into law by Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, marks the latest state bordering New York to sign off on a legalized cannabis system. It also comes as New York lawmakers in the coming weeks will determine whether to approve an adult-use marijuana provision in the state budget.
Advocates in New York used the approval of the New Jersey law to push passage in New York.
"Today, the New Jersey Legislature voted for — and Gov. Murphy signed — legislation to legalize marijuana for adult use, following a successful ballot question in November where voters overwhelmingly demonstrated their support for it," said Melissa Moore, the New York director of the Drug Policy Alliance.