MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION IN NJ: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Legalized recreational marijuana could bring a significant boost to the state coffers, but for it to take off, numerous issues must be resolved
Legalized recreational marijuana could bring a significant boost to the state coffers, but for it to take off, numerous issues must be resolved
Atlantic City is already a popular gambling destination. Now, it could soon become a hotspot for a different kind of recreation; recreational marijuana.
The city’s mayor, Frank Gilliam, has said A.C. could become a marijuana mecca if recreational marijuana is legalized in the Garden State.
Despite other legislators in New Jersey impeding Governor Murphy’s attempts to bring recreational cannabis and its commercial sales to the state’s residents, an expanded medical marijuana program should allow many more patients to access medical cannabis and make it more affordable. If New Jersey does not legalize adult-use cannabis and its sales, that will leave only Massachusetts on the entire eastern seaboard that will be offering cannabis sales for adults. Sales in Massachusetts are set to begin on July 1st and could draw many tourists and tax revenue from the northeast.
On the Atlantic City Expressway, the new billboards are touting June 28 openings for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Ocean Resort Casino, two mega-casinos that will replace the Trump Taj Mahal and the Revel.
Meanwhile, on Tennessee Avenue on Wednesday, Hard Rock executives won casino licenses from the Casino Control Commission.
When Fairfield Business Administrator Joseph Catenaro addressed the township council about marijuana retail sale and zoning regulations at last week’s meeting, he suggested that the “get out in front on the issue as soon as possible” now that New Jersey is in the process of legalizing marijuana.
He added that the township “is beginning to receive inquiries regarding business opportunities and where the township stands.”
The hurdle for legal marijuana in New Jersey seems to keep getting higher.
Gov. Phil Murphy has repeatedly vowed to legalize adult recreational pot use in the Garden State and told state lawmakers he'd like them to pass a bill by January 2019.
But just last week, the Democratic governor for the first time hedged over whether they could hit that deadline. And Democrats who lead the state Legislature are less certain this will get worked out during state budget negotiations in June -- the traditional month for horse-trading in Trenton.
Legalizing weed is something new, and big, and controversial. And the bills are still taking shape. At this stage, it's safer to let the other guy step out of the foxhole first and see if he survives.
"You're not going to jump out and say you're in favor of this when you don't even know what the bill is, and you know you will have people come out against you," says Senate President Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester. "But you're going to see the momentum shift."
While neighboring Asbury Park has said it would embrace marijuana dispensaries if the state chooses to legalize weed, Neptune is taking a wait-and-see approach.
Neptune Mayor Nicholas Williams said he wants to know more from the state before deciding whether he would support allowing dispensaries in the township.
At Oceanport’s April 19 council meeting, the governing body voted 5-0 to approve an amendment to an ordinance that prohibits the launch of any business engaged in the growth or sale of medicinal and recreational marijuana or paraphernalia in any of the borough’s zoning districts, including its section of Fort Monmouth.
Council president Joseph A. Irace said the ordinance was a preemptive movement to counteract future development plans for borough property that might coincide with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy’s stated intentions to legalize marijuana.
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