The move came after a marathon-like day at the capital that involved hours of delay and backroom wrangling, according to The Associated Press.
The news service noted that New Jersey would become the 11th state, plus Washington, D.C., to legalize recreational marijuana if the bill were to become law.
The legislation now will head to floor in both chambers, with votes expected next week, according to NJ.com. It remains unclear if it has enough votes to pass in the Assembly and Senate, but the governor is likely to sign it into law if it does.
Gov. Phil Murphy (D) in his State of State address in January called for legalizing recreational marijuana for adults.
“By legalizing adult-use marijuana — first and foremost — we can reverse the inequality and unfairness left from years of failed drug policies and shift public safety resources to where they can do the most good,” Murphy said in January.