Gov. Murphy Signs 5 Bills Into Law, Updates On Marijuana (Video)

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed another five bills into law this week while also providing an update on the legislative impasse over marijuana legalization.

In an interview with Patch, Murphy said an impasse remains largely because his administration disagrees with lawmakers over the proposed marijuana tax rate, and the state Legislature wants to grant too much authority to a regulatory commission.

Lawmakers have pushed for a tax rate in the 12 percent range, while administration officials have pushed for as high as 25 percent. Murphy acknowledge that the debate over taxes has much to do with preventing a "back market" from emerging in the marijuana industry.

Some lawmakers believe that taxing marijuana too high would create a black market that could sell pot at a cheaper price.

"You want to drive the black market out just like we did in sports betting," Murphy said, saying the debate will center on "what level do you price the tax that you feel confident that you push the black market out."

"We have different opinions on what that level is," said Murphy, who also said there needs to be some resolution on the social justice element of the legislation.

Here is the interview, during which he also discussed raising the minimum wage:

Murphy signed the following bills into law:

• S2846 (Weinberg, Sweeney, Beach/Greenwald, Murphy, Quijano, Bucco) - Concerns law enforcement officers' ability to possess and carry certain ammunition magazines.
• S630 (Loretta Weinberg, Thomas Kean, and Linda Greenstein; Assemblymembers John McKeon, Daniel Benson, and Patricia Egan Jones) Reform NJ Transit's governance and management to improve service and reliability for New Jersey commuters. The bill includes reforms to NJ Transit's board of directors to make it more responsive to commuters; expands oversight over NJ Transit, both by the public and the Legislature; institutes regular disclosure of accident and safety performance reports; strengthens whistleblower protections; and creates customer advocate and chief ethics officer positions within the agency.
• A4782 (Johnson, Wirths, Wimberly/Sarlo) – Provides clarification on applicability of “Predatory Towing Prevention Act” to commercial motor vehicles and charging of reasonable fees for certain non-consensual towing.
• S866 w/GR (Sweeney, Vitale/Vainieri Huttle, Mukherji) – Extends eligibility for certain individuals for emergency assistance.
• S2531 w/GR (Beach/Jones) – Allows county governing body in certain counties to abolish offices of superintendent and deputy superintendent of elections and transfer functions to county board of elections.

Tom Davis photo