Will Marijuana be Legalized in New Jersey in 2020? - Buyweed NJ

Will Marijuana be Legalized in New Jersey in 2020?

That is the question! A measure passed the state Senate in a 24-16 vote at the Statehouse in Trenton late last year; the state Assembly voted 49-24 with one abstention. New Jersey residents will now get to decide whether marijuana should be legalized in the Garden State, after both houses of the state legislature voted recently to add the question to the 2020 ballot.

The legalization of marijuana for those over 21 has been a promise of Gov. Phil Murphy since the day he stepped into office two years ago. But it’s seen its share of setbacks. In November, State Senate President Stephen Sweeney said he wouldn’t be taking the bill to the floor and would instead put it in the hands of the voters.

How Does it all Work?

The state Senate and Assembly both had to approve it by either three-fifths majority in a year or by simple majorities in two years back to back, in order to get the question on the ballot as a constitutional amendment.

The 24 votes in the Senate shows a three-fifths majority; the 49 votes in the Assembly gives the house one more than is needed to reach the three-fifths.

Supporters of the bill say that the brief nature of the ballot question won’t be able to fully encompass topics such as social justice and revenue. Instead, they want the legislation to have more depth. Opponents feel lawmakers are shirking their duty to the public after they have failed repeatedly to pass this law, preferring to pass on the responsibility to citizens instead.

Sen. Gerald Cardinale, R-Bergen, who opposes legalization, says traffic deaths have increased in states that have legal marijuana. Now, it’s up to NJ to decide what they want.

The Question

Do you approve amending the Constitution to legalize a controlled form of marijuana called ‘cannabis’? Only adults at least 21 years of age could use cannabis. The State commission created to oversee the State’s medical cannabis program would also oversee the new, personal use cannabis market. Cannabis products would be subject to the State sales tax. If authorized by the Legislature, a municipality may pass a local ordinance to charge a local tax on cannabis products.”

An interpretation of the question will appear on the ballot to further explain the ramifications. Within that, it states the soon-to-be appointed Cannabis Regulatory Commission for medical marijuana would regulate and oversee the market, and that cannabis products will be subject to state sales taxes and local taxes imposed by municipalities.

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