Legalization a popular cause in state
According to a February poll conducted by Monmouth University, 62 percent of New Jerseyans believe that the possession and use of marijuana should be legal, and 74 percent support the expungement of past marijuana convictions.
Assembly and Senate lawmakers were initially expected to decide on the issue in March. However, plans for a Senate floor vote were pulled after it became apparent that the measure lacked majority support in the legislature’s upper house.
Despite the political will to pass legalization in New Jersey, lawmakers haven’t come to an agreement on all the details. One of the major sticking points is the tax rate of marijuana. Gov. Phil Murphy would like a higher tax rate than Senate President Stephen Sweeney.