Plan to legalize adult use of recreational marijuana in New Jersey stalled

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Proponents of a plan to legalize adult use of recreational marijuana in New Jersey have seen two proposed deadlines for legislative action come and go. 

Governor Phil Murphy and leaders in the legislature wanted to act by the end of September. That date got pushed back to the end of October. Now it could happen at the end of the year, maybe. Although Senate President Steve Sweeney insists without these deadlines, the debate could drag out well into next year.

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“I’ve been very clear that we don’t have an agreement with the Governor yet. We’re close, I would think. We’re very close. But I think we’re going to need the Governor to sign off on the bill too. It doesn’t get done if the two houses and the Governor aren’t in agreement,” he said.

What seems to be an issue is getting enough votes to get a bill to Murphy, who’s on record supporting legalization. Concerns center on taxes to be levied on legal weed, how to set up and regulate the business end of things and what to do with minor criminal violations of the current law.