Senate Bill 830

n March the New Jersey Senate pulled a vote on Senate Bill 830, a wide-ranging, heavily negotiated bill that would have made New Jersey the 11th state to allow recreational use. News outlets reported that the bill was expected to fail by fewer than five votes, and at a recent Philadelphia networking event one insider indicated that the bill was just one vote away from passing.

New Jersey’s governor and legislature agreed to terms earlier this month to allow S830 to move forward, the bill that would legalize marijuana for adults and create a regulated marketplace in the state.

Although he has fought for legalization, he opposes SB 830, expected to reach Murphy's desk sometime in 2019. The bill legalizes possession and personal use of small amounts of marijuana for adults 21 and older, creates Division of Marijuana Enforcement, and a licensing structure.

“I don't think there's very much diversity in this bill,” Forchion told Weedmaps News. “We know who's going to get the licenses, going to get the dispensaries, going to be able to sell marijuana to the people. I call them the Caucasian cannabis corporations, the CCCs.”

Below is the list of bills in the New Jersey legislature that may come to votes this summer or fall.

S830 Legalizes possession and personal use of small amounts of marijuana for persons age 21 and over; creates Division of Marijuana Enforcement and licensing structure.

S997 Requires registered qualifying patient's authorized use of medical Marijuana to be considered equivalent to use of any other prescribed medication.

The first three bullet points pertain to recreational use. Please note this is not an exhaustive list.

S2703 – “New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Act”; legalizes possession and personal use of marijuana for persons age 21 and over; creates Division of Marijuana Enforcement and licensing structure; introduced on June 7, 2018 by Senators Scutari and Sweeney and referred to Senate Judiciary Committee http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/S3000/2703_I1.PDF

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.”

SYNOPSIS

Legalizes possession and personal use of small amounts of marijuana for persons age 21 and over; creates Division of Marijuana Enforcement and licensing structure.

New Jersey lawmakers are set to consider legalizing marijuana this legislative session.

The most prominent legislative effort comes from Democratic state Sen. Nicholas Scutari, but a separate bill is also expected in the Assembly this year. Consumer advocates are urging legislators to include home cultivation in any effort.