While the parties are closer than ever to a deal on legalization of cannabis, it’s unlikely all the details – and ayes – will be nailed down for a vote on Feb. 21.
Governor Phil Murphy, State Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin have reportedly reached agreement on two major issues that have held up passage of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory and Expungement Aid Modernization Act (S2703), the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act (S10) and s3205, which revises certain procedures for expungement of records of conviction.
However, several people with knowledge of the negotiations told NJ Cannabis Media that it’s not a done deal just yet. As of Monday afternoon, the bills are not listed on the slate of legislation to be voted on Thursday.
Senator Nicholas Scutari told NBCNewYork.com Monday that the bill was still being written and that it could come to a vote as early as next month.
The outlines of the deal, first reported last week by the New Jersey Globe, include a flat tax rate of $42 an ounce on the sales and the Governor appointing – without the need for legislature consent – three of the five members of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission. Sweeney and Coughlin would each appoint one member of the five-member commission.