New Jersey takes big step toward legalizing recreational pot

The legalization of recreational marijuana took a big step in New Jersey Tuesday as Gov. Phil Murphy and state legislative leaders say they have agreed on legislation.

News 12 Staff

Mar 12, 2019, 1:18 PM

Updated 1,963 days ago

Share:

New Jersey takes big step toward legalizing recreational pot
The legalization of recreational marijuana took a big step in New Jersey Tuesday as Gov. Phil Murphy and state legislative leaders say they have agreed on legislation.
The Democratic leaders announced the agreement in a statement Tuesday after more than a year of negotiations, mostly behind closed doors.
It's unclear whether there are enough votes in the Democrat-controlled Legislature to pass the bill, but the agreement marks the first time leaders have laid out the details of the plan.
The deal calls for a $42 per ounce tax and entitles towns to collect tax revenue, as well. Municipalities with cannabis retailers could collect 3 percent tax, those with cultivators will collect 2 percent and those with wholesalers would get 1 percent.
“Right now the only people making money off of cannabis are drug dealers, so we want to make certain that we have a legal industry that will take money away from drug dealers and give it to small businesses owners,” says New Jersey CannaBusiness Association President Scott Rudder. “They pay taxes they hire employees so it's gonna help boost the economy."
The bill also includes expungement of prior, low-level marijuana charges. Murphy says that he will only sign the bill if this is included – something that may take some work.
"People want it to be an instant solution where you can push a button and everybody has their record expunged,” says Rudder, “But that's not going to be the case. It actually takes some time and so we have to see how this plays out a little bit further."
But some New Jersey towns say that even if marijuana is legalized in the state – they will not allow its sale. Some towns, like Cranbury, have already passed ordinances banning the sale of legal pot in their municipality.
"Our concern really is what happens after that point of purchase. We have a lot of parks in our town, we have a nice Main Street downtown area. If somebody comes in and buys it and sets up shop and starts smoking it, it's now impacting the quality of life around all of our children,” says Mayor James Taylor.
The measure calls for a five-member regulatory commission, which would be set up by the governor, with recommendations from the Assembly speaker and Senate president.
Ten states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


More from News 12
2:16
Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

Fire at Fair Lawn strip mall destroys multiple businesses, including popular Zadies Bakery

2:11
Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

Beautiful weekend ahead for New Jersey with sunny skies and warm temperatures

1:54
Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

Boar’s Head deli meat recalled for potential listeria contamination

0:46
New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

New Jersey to receive more than $72M to help coastal communities prevent flooding

1:43
Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

Officials: Lead found on Keyport beach not ‘urgent risk’ to public health, no need to close beach

0:44
Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

Jersey Proud: Goya Gives Day collects 100,000 pounds of food donations

1:01
‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

‘It’s a beautiful sport.’ New pickleball courts open in Howell Township

0:29
Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

Man who pleaded guilty to attacking Jewish men sentenced to 30 years on terror charges

0:55
EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

EPA completes Phase 1 of Superfund site cleanup at Unimatic Manufacturing site in Fairfield

0:20
West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

West New York school named for Sen. Menendez to revert to original name

0:30
Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

Attorney general: NJ state trooper ‘inexcusably crossed the line,’ admits to punching handcuffed woman in the face in 2022

0:15
East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

East Brunswick police: Bicyclist killed in Route 18 crash

0:30
No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

No one injured in Kenilworth house fire

1:04
Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

Attorney general releases body camera footage of fatal Hamilton police-involved shooting

0:15
Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

Part of Manchester’s Harry Wright Lake closed due to high levels of fecal bacteria

0:23
2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

2 dead in Maine plane crash after leaving New Jersey airport

0:18
$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

$1 million lottery ticket won from $20 scratch-off at North Wildwood Wawa

1:59
Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

Paws & Pals: Felicity now up for adoption at Associated Humane Societies

1:17
Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

Gov. Murphy discusses potential Menendez replacement on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program