Governor Murphy: Marijuana Legalization Coming Soon – by Aaron Neuman

By Aaron Neuman. In January of this year, Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order directing the Department of Health and the Board of Medical Examiners to conduct a review of New Jersey’s medical marijuana policy. Saying “we need to I treat our residents with compassion”, the Governor said the goal of the review was to eliminate barriers patients face when attempting to procure marijuana for medical use.
Murphy now says a bill to legalize marijuana in the state will be passed and then signed by him.

Although the Governor says that the bills would be passed soon, he says expected revenues from the legalization of cannabis was not included in the budget New Jersey’s lawmakers recently agreed upon because the legalization bill was not yet ready.

Some critics of marijuana legalization see the absence of anticipated marijuana sales revenue in the budget as indicative of a lack of support for legalization measures, and that currently proposed bills would stall. But State Senator Nicholas Scutari said if people learn the facts about marijuana, he believes they could be won over.

NJ Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Senator Nicholas Scutari recently unveiled a bill to decriminalize marijuana possession in the state, as well as to greatly expand the state’s existing medical marijuana program. The legislation would allow individuals over 21 to legally possess an ounce or less of marijuana, and increase the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in the state from the current number of 6 to well over 200, with additional dispensaries being allowed as the number of patients using the program increases.

The bill calls for an initial tax rate of 10% on legalized cannabis, with that number being increased to 25% over the next four years. Medical marijuana, currently taxed at a rate of 7% in New Jersey, would not be taxed under the new proposal.

Senate President Stephen Sweeney said he and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, both of the, Democrats, would be studying the issue of marijuana legalization over the summer months.
If New Jersey does legalize the use of cannabis, they would be joining 9 other states and the District of Columbia in passing such a measure.

A recent study has shown that states that have legalized marijuana have lower rates of prescription drug abuse. Critics say marijuana is a gateway drug, leading to future dependence on far more dangerous drugs such as heroine and cocaine.

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14 COMMENTS

  1. Why wasn’t the Medical marijuana not in the budget as revenue, simple, Gouge the taxpayer to the fullest then, get an unlisted amount of revenue to spend wildly on pet projects. When next years budget comes out it will be for what was spent and guess what they will have to raise taxes again to fund their new pet projects.

    Stop the madness in November.

  2. I’ve seen the good that legal recreational marijuana has done out in Colorado, can’t wait for it to finally be legal here.

  3. I sincerely hope you are kidding about recreational marijuana being good. It will do nothing but cause big problems.

    Medical Marijuana has many benefits not recreational marijuana.

  4. Revenue expectations aside, the higher the tax the more likely it is to see an increase in the black market. Admittedly, in my state ounces of high quality bud went from $450 to $20 a gram.

  5. #1 NO one ever died from marijuana consumption.

    #2 Marijuana does not kill or alter braincells with adult consumption.

    #3 3.3 million deaths a year from alcohol consumption in the world. Thus, alcohol-related deaths make up 6 percent of all global deaths per year. Alcohol has been proven to kill brain cells and is a leading cause of domestic abuse, while marijuana creates calm and loving feelings.

    #4 Adolescent use, has not gone up in states that have legalized recreational marijuana.

    #5 Opioid overdose deaths has gone down 25% in states that have legalized recreational marijuana.

    #6 Blacks are twice as likely to be incarcerated for marijuana while marijuana use in black communities is the same as in white communities.

    END PROHIBITION NOW!!!!!

    • WOW, fake news.
      At what age does marijuana not affect brain cells
      Please provide sources for your stats.
      Also add motor vehicle accidents have gone up in the States that allow recreational use.

  6. It’ll be funny to see everyone walking around ‘high’ all day. We should change the name of the New Jersey to La La Land.

  7. Legal, illegal. Legal could have healthier consequences in testing the stuff for all the garbage they likely use to grow it and preserve it. In any case, whatever the outcome, employer blood tests are not going away, driving is out (it stays in you for weeks and there’s no way to tell how recently you smoked it after your pulled over, good luck without a lawyer ($$$). And any way it goes NEVER in front of kids. Edibles can cause severe health problems for kids. NO pot bars, clubs and not outside the house. Hard to enforce “over 21”, but the studies show that even at 21 there can be psychological issues. The older you are the less the risk. Long term studies show like middle age, 50+. Consult all your doctors about it. It might be contraindicated for your situation and medications. Be advised of hidden political agendas.

  8. Money for NJ. It will be legal. As far as accidents, There is many accidents here in lakewood without pot…..We all knew it will pass. Get over it or move…

  9. as a forward thinking askan in the chinuch world told me “how on earth will you be able to teach torah to kids that are teetering, the will be high as a kite”. I think this is THE new challenge facing klal yisroel which has the potential to do as much damage as the technology issues that so many fear.
    Hashem Yiracheim!

  10. @ concerned parent do we have a problem now that we cant teach our children because they are drunk? No we dont!!
    You are just afraid of new ideas, look its a great alternative to alcohol does way less damage!!!

Comments are closed.