High-stakes recreational marijuana vote set for Monday

A high-stakes state vote on legalizing recreational marijuana and expunging marijuana convictions is set for Monday.

News 12 Staff

Mar 24, 2019, 3:51 PM

Updated 1,853 days ago

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High-stakes recreational marijuana vote set for Monday
A high-stakes state vote on legalizing recreational marijuana and expunging marijuana convictions is set for Monday in Trenton.
Gov. Phil Murphy says the vote in the Legislature will be close. It's still unclear if the measure will get enough votes to pass.
Support for the bill has come from mayors of urban areas, including Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. Gusciora introduced a marijuana legalization measure when he worked in the Legislature.
Gusciora, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop support the current legalization bill. 
The bill would legalize recreational marijuana for those over the age of 21, license growing facilities and set a $42 per ounce taxation rate. A cannabis regulatory commission would set up the rules under which the new marijuana industry would operate under in New Jersey.
If passed, sales likely wouldn't begin until early next year.
Gov. Murphy has been giving regular updates on his administration's progress in getting votes together. Actress and co-host of “The View” Whoopi Goldberg has participated in making phone calls to legislators.
Legalizing marijuana has been a goal for Gov. Murphy since his campaign in 2017.
The bill is on track for a Monday afternoon vote in both the Assembly and the Senate.
 
 


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