What’s Inside New Jersey’s Proposed Cannabis Legalization Bill?
AUTHOR: Patrick McKnight
PUBLISHER: CANNABIS LAW REPORT
AUTHOR: Patrick McKnight
PUBLISHER: CANNABIS LAW REPORT
The Coalition for Medical Marijuana of New Jersey host a rally in front of the New Jersey statehouse to bring attention to marijuana legalization on the unofficial 420 holiday. Jim Miller, co-founder of CMMNJ and Kim Cushman of South Hampton protest about tax in front of the statehouse.
As you may know, April 20th (aka 4/20) is the unofficial holiday for cannabis users. So if you smell something skunky this weekend, you know why. But cannabis activists in New Jersey were in no mood to celebrate yesterday when they staged a “die in” at the Trenton state house.
Their goal: to represent all the dead medical cannabis users in NJ who are no longer with us.
So on a day when PSEG demand (and received) a $300,000,000 tax payer-funded subsidy, medical cannabis patients are begging for scraps.
Are there any special events scheduled for 4/20?
The main events Saturday are the rallies planned for the New Jersey Statehouse on West State Street in Trenton. The Coalition for Medical Marijuana New Jersey is hosting a "Legalize It!" rally at noon.
Ed Forchion, the longtime legal weed advocate best known as "NJ Weedman," has planned what he's calling a "victory" celebration from 3 p.m. to 4:21 p.m. The victory, he says, is that marijuana laws across the country are starting to fall, piece by piece.
WHO: Medical marijuana patients and advocates
WHAT: Protest to raise awareness of the need for home cultivation emergency relief especially regarding approval of qualifying condition Opioid Use Disorder
WHEN: Thursday, April 18, 2019 at 12:00 pm (Die-In at 1:11 pm)
WHERE: NJ State Capital Building Annex 165 West State St., Trenton, New Jersey 08608
WHY: Failure to allow common sense, affordable home cultivation access in the Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act
As mayor of Trenton and an original sponsor of the bill permitting adult-use marijuana, I wholeheartedly support such legislation currently under consideration by the state Senate (S2703) and Assembly (A4497). The legislation will do a lot of good for New Jersey as a whole and, specifically, for urban centers around the state in the way of economic opportunities and social justice concerns.
New Jersey could become the 11th state to legalize recreational marijuana.
Or not.
It all hinges on whether Gov. Phil Murphy can get buy-in from several legislators who have not yet committed to voting for the measure to legalize adult-use cannabis. A vote is scheduled for Monday on the two companion bills in the state Senate and Assembly. 21 votes are needed in the Senate, and 41 in the Assembly.
As of Thursday, Murphy was still short in both chambers.
Ed Forchion — aka the NJ Weedman — has been on quite the journey in his quest for marijuana legalization. He’s done time in prison. He’s met all kinds of people from all walks of life who identify with him. And he’s successfully represented himself in Mercer County Superior Court.
Trenton resident Forchion, 54, has been running Trenton’s NJ Weedman’s Joint since 2015.
The aptly named sanctuary for weed enthusiasts to relax and eat is located right across from City Hall on East State Street.
Although he has fought for legalization, he opposes SB 830, expected to reach Murphy's desk sometime in 2019. The bill legalizes possession and personal use of small amounts of marijuana for adults 21 and older, creates Division of Marijuana Enforcement, and a licensing structure.
“I don't think there's very much diversity in this bill,” Forchion told Weedmaps News. “We know who's going to get the licenses, going to get the dispensaries, going to be able to sell marijuana to the people. I call them the Caucasian cannabis corporations, the CCCs.”
This is starting now. Roll Call.
I will update along below new info will be posted with time stamps. If you want to chime in I'll share some nuggets on Twitter but I invite everyone to login here and post your comments below. I will work to answer any questions you guys have.
Here's a link to listen along - https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/media/mp.asp?M=A/ENCODER-4&S=2018L
Discussing Senate Bill 2703 and Assembly ammendments
get your FL Office of Medical Marijuana Use card!
get your MD Medical Cannabis Commission card!