Final Deal On NJ Marijuana Legalization: Here's When It Will Come

Looks like marijuana will likley be legalized in New Jersey – and it will happen soon.

Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Sen. Nicholas Scutari announced an agreement Tuesday on legislation to legalize adult-use marijuana in New Jersey. And getting marijuana offenses expunged will be part of it.

Lawmakers told Patch that a vote will likely be held on Monday, March 25 and Murphy will probably sign it into law that week. Don't expect it to be sold in stores for six months to a year, however. The regulatory process needs to be developed, lawmakers say.

Some lawmakers – including a few Democrats – still need to be swayed for the legislation to be passed, but Sweeney is confident that the vote, and approval, will happen.

“Legalizing adult-use marijuana is a monumental step to reducing disparities in our criminal justice system,” said Murphy. “After months of hard work and thoughtful negotiations, I’m thrilled to announce an agreement with my partners in the Legislature on the broad outlines of adult-use marijuana legislation."

"I believe that this legislation will establish an industry that brings fairness and economic opportunity to all of our communities, while promoting public safety by ensuring a safe product and allowing law enforcement to focus their resources on serious crimes.”

Provisions in the bill establish an expedited expungement process for individuals convicted of low-level marijuana offenses, but prevent offenses that happen in certain areas – such as educational facilities and occupational licensing – from being discarded.

“This plan will allow for the adult use of cannabis in a responsible way,” said Sweeney. “It will create a strictly regulated system that permits adults to purchase limited amounts of marijuana for personal use. It will bring marijuana out of the underground market so that it can be controlled, regulated and taxed, just as alcohol has been since the end of Prohibition. This plan will also advance important social justice reforms to help reverse the discriminatory impact that drug laws have had on diverse communities.”

Additionally, there are a number of provisions that aim to ensure broad-based participation in the industry for minority and women-owned business enterprises, low- and middle-income individuals, and disadvantaged communities across the state.

"The agreement reached to legalize adult-use cannabis is the result of incredibly hard work by many people over many months," said Coughlin. "Getting to this point wasn't easy. We talked and we negotiated in good faith, but most importantly, we listened. I want to thank Governor Murphy and Senate President Sweeney for their tireless efforts and willingness to compromise so we could put forth the most responsible legislation possible. I believe this new, regulated industry will help boost our economy, but I'm particularly proud of the critical social justice components included in the bill."

“The prohibition on marijuana has long been a failed policy,” said Scutari. “This plan will bring an end to the adverse effects our outdated drug laws have had on the residents of our state. As a regulated product, legalized marijuana will be safe and controlled. It is time to legalize adult use marijuana in New Jersey and this is a well-crafted legal reform that will advance social policy in a fair and effective way.”

Under the terms of the agreement, adult-use marijuana will be subject to an excise tax of $42 per ounce, which will be imposed when marijuana is cultivated, lawmakers say.

In addition, municipalities that are home to a cultivator or manufacturer will receive the revenue from a 2 percent tax on the product within their jurisdiction, lawmakers say.

Municipalities that are home to a wholesaler will receive the revenue from a 1 percent tax on the product within their jurisdiction, while municipalities that are home to a retailer will receive the revenue from a 3 prcent tax on the product within their jurisdiction.

Adult-use marijuana will be governed by a Cannabis Regulatory Commission, composed of five members. Three members will be appointed by the governor, with the governor’s initial appointments to serve terms of at least four years and not be subject to Senate confirmation.

Two other members will be appointed by the governor, upon the recommendations of the Speaker and Senate President. The commission will promulgate all regulations to govern the industry and will oversee the applications for licensing of adult-use marijuana dispensaries, lawmakers say.