Diversity and Comprehensive Representation
While there is diversity on the commission, as it contains a Latinx man and woman, a white man and woman, and a Black woman, there is the missing component of a Black man, and this is noteworthy because of what Black men can bring to the cannabis conversation.
Read more about the NJLP's objections below.
Here are the basics about the state's new laws:
New Jersey officially became the 13th state to legalize marijuana as Gov. Phil Murphy last week signed three bills that put an exclamation point on the will of Garden State voters. Twenty other states, including Pennsylvania, have legalized medical marijuana use. The federal government still considers any marijuana use as a crime.
Lawmakers in both chambers will introduce a bill allowing police officers to notify the parents of underage marijuana users on the first offense instead of the second.
“While New Jersey has made recreational Marijuana legal in the state of New Jersey, it is still illegal for minors to possess or consume it. If a minor is caught with these substances, we want their parents to know about it right away,” State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch), Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling (D-Neptune) and Assemblywoman Joann Downey (D-Freehold) said in a joint statement.
Officials with the state Association of Chiefs of Police met with New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal on Wednesday to try to resolve questions and issues they have with enforcing new marijuana laws now that adult-use recreational marijuana is legal.
The glaring absence of a member of a social justice organization on New Jersey’s newly established Cannabis Regulatory Commission is a troubling oversight that should be remedied, Senator Mike Testa said today.
The commission is charged with determining who can legally grow and sell marijuana in New Jersey.
The newly passed law allows New Jersey residents older than 21 to possess marijuana, but it will also lead the way for regulated business, which is expected to be an economic booster in the state.
“I think it’s great,” said Ramapo student Kelly Brennan. “I hope it brings down property taxes a little because of how booming of a business it’s expected to be!”
Known as the NJWeedman, Edward Forchion is upfront about his underground weed business. He opened a storefront on E State Street in Trenton where he sells everything from flowers, cannabis concentrates and edibles. With the state still months away from actually opening up its marijuana marketplace, NJWeedman's Joint is one of the only places defying the government's rollout.
"I say I'm like the people's champ right now...the Robinhood reefer," Forchion said.
A Toms River-based company that bills itself as a "new and unique delivery service" says it will legally deliver cannabis treats to your door -- no matter which county you live in. Slumped Kitchen won't sell you cannabis in its raw form, per se, but it will sell treats like brownies and cookies and drivers might give you up to one ounce of the raw stuff to enjoy with those as an "optional" free gift.
A recently appointed panel that will create the rules and regulations for the state’s newly legalized marijuana industry is coming under fire from New Jersey’s chapter of the NAACP.