Though the bill now awaits a full vote in the state legislature, state Sens. Vin Gopal (D-11) and Declan O’Scanlon (R-13) say they aren’t convinced it’s strong enough to pass in its current form.
“There’s a lot of discussion that has yet to be had and I don’t think the votes are there yet,” O’Scanlon said in a Nov. 27 interview with The Two River Times. “Both sides need to take a breath and focus on getting answers to legitimate concerns and questions and then legislate on those answers, whether those answers perpetuate our beliefs or not.”
New Jersey took a step closer to legalizing recreational marijuana last week when legislators in Trenton advanced a bill that will allow adult use of marijuana.
And while advocates push forward with that agenda amid opposition, some among the 36,500 residents and 800 doctors participating in the state’s growing medical marijuana program wonder how they might be affected if recreational use is legalized.
A little over a week ago it seemed as if efforts by New Jersey lawmakers to legalize marijuana for recreational use could continue to drag on indefinitely. However, in a surprise move, three new bills were unveiled and then overwhelmingly approved by the state’s Senate and Assembly panels last week.
SYNOPSIS
“New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory and Expungement Aid Modernization Act”; legalizes personal use cannabis for adults; creates Cannabis Regulatory Commission to regulate personal use and medical cannabis; provides expungement relief for certain past marijuana offenses.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on November 26, 2018, with amendments.
As soon as the ink dries on the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory and Expungement Aid Modernization Act (S2703/A4497), it becomes a local issue – that was the message from the League of Municipalities to its members and stake holders.
Michael Cerra, assistant executive director and director of government affairs, provided a breakdown of the bill and its impact on municipalities during a 45-minute webinar Friday.
The key issues are tax rates, law enforcement issues and the costs of expungements.
There’s still plenty of wrangling going on, but the big picture is that legislation has been passed out of committee in both legislative chambers that would legalize recreational marijuana use (i.e., the possession of one ounce or less) by those age 21 or older. The law would also regulate and license those wishing to sell marijuana, and implement a sales tax of 12 percent on purchases. These measures will improve people’s lives, although they are not especially unique given that New Jersey would become the 11th state (along with the District of Columbia) to take them.
On Monday, Nov. 26, two panels in New Jersey voted overwhelmingly to approve three new cannabis bills -- one of which aims to legalize adult-use marijuana.
The next stop for S2703 is a full floor vote in both the Senate and the Assembly. And if it passes, it will head to the desk of Gov. Murphy for signing. Murphy, who voters elected on a progressive campaign that included a massive medical cannabis program expansion and the promise of adult-use legalization, has so far wavered on his support for this particular bill.
A resolution by the three-member county government board formally opposes marijuana’s legalization for recreational use, according to a news release this week. They are also asking towns to enact ordinances barring marijuana facilities.
The measure comes after a bill passed in Trenton that would legalize marijuana for adult use and create a weed industry. New Jersey has already established a medical marijuana program, and Phillipsburg -- Warren County’s largest town -- wants to be considered for a future dispensary.
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