New Jersey legislators announced on Friday evening that they have reached a deal on a bill that would provide a framework for legalization
NEW JERSEY – New Jersey lawmakers announced on Friday evening that they have reached a deal on a bill that would provide the framework for marijuana legalization.
Gov. Phil Murphy, joined by Senate President Steve Sweeney, Speaker Craig Coughlin and two other lawmakers, announced in a joint statement that they reached an agreement on legislation that could be passed by the end of the month.
The statement, which also was attributed to state Sen. Nicholas Scutari and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, noted New Jerseyans voted overwhelmingly in November in support of the creation of “a well-regulated adult-use cannabis market.”
New Jerseyans approved marijuana legalization in the Nov. 3 vote by a 67 to 33 percent margin. The constitutional amendment will legalize marijuana for anyone 21 and older on Jan. 1.
“This legislation will accomplish our shared goals of delivering restorative justice and ensuring that the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs see the economic benefits of the adult-use cannabis market,” the statement said.Subscribe
But lawmakers still needed to work out a framework for selling and distributing marijuana even as the constitutional amendment takes effect.
The details of the agreement were not announced, but lawmakers have long had differences over how much marijuana will be taxed and how it will be sold.
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