GROWING CLOUT BEHIND MARIJUANA INDUSTRY SHOWS IMPORTANCE OF EXPANDED LOBBYING DISCLOSURE
It took a big push by major corporations to bring a whole new industry- casinos- to New Jersey. Marijuana interests may need a similar boost.
While medical marijuana already has been legalized in the state, legislation allowing recreational use has run into stiff resistance even though pro-marijuana spending on lobbying rose nearly 319 percent to $1.4 million in 2018.
Governor Murphy and legislative leaders are continuing to hold meetings to try to rescue the bill, which Senate President Steve Sweeney gave only a 50-50 change of passage on April 29, 2019.