New Jersey: a bill to legalize recreational cannabis will be debated next Monday

When we talk about recreational cannabis in the United States, we often think of the West Coast from North to South, showing off its green attitude. It now bridges the gap between the two largest territories that accept adult-use cannabis, Canada and Mexico. Yet the West Coast isn't the only region in the U.S. to be progressive when it comes to cannabis: the northeastern U.S. now boasts three states where recreational cannabis is legal (Maine, Vermont and Massachusetts), and the entire northeastern tip, from Maine to Ohio, has already legalized medical cannabis.

New in the North-East

Recreational cannabis has been legal in Massachusetts since 2016, but legal sales have only just begun this Tuesday. So far, only two licensed retailers have opened, New England Treatment Access (NETA) in the town of Northampton and Cultivate in Leicester, with others soon to follow. Among the first customers was the Mayor of the City of Northampton, David Narkewicz, who bought a cannabis chocolate bar.

At the same time, the Governor of New York announced that a law legalizing recreational cannabis will be passed sometime in 2019. In Connecticut, new Gov, Ned Lamont, for his part, declared that recreational legalization will be one of the priorities of the new administration. He pledged his support for legislative initiatives in this direction in a press conference on Monday, pointing to the fact that «Canada, Massachusetts and others are doing it». He sees legalization as «an idea whose time has come».

In New Jersey, the change of governor could also herald more favorable times for the legalization debate. Former governor Chris Christie was skeptical about the therapeutic benefits of cannabis and fiercely opposed to legalizing adult-use. In contrast, new governor Phil Murphy is not opposed to the idea of legalization. Taking advantage of this more favorable climate, the New Jersey submitted a project to legalize the adult use of cannabis.

The proposed law

Entitled the“New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory and Expungement Aid Modernization Act”The proposal calls for the legalization of recreational cannabis use and the establishment of a regulated legal market along the lines of California and Massachusetts. Possession and consumption would be legal up to a limit of 28 grams per person and for those over 21. Individuals with criminal records for minor cannabis-related offenses would be granted amnesty. The purchase of cannabis would be possible in stores or by online order, as delivery systems would be authorized. With the municipality's permission, retailers will be able to set up a dedicated consumption area in their establishment.

The bill also calls for the creation of a 5-member Cannabis Regulatory Commission appointed by the governor and the state. It will oversee the establishment of the legal industry, which will be subject to a 12% sales tax and a 2% local excise tax. The Commission will administer the granting of licenses and will be responsible for developing an equitable system, giving priority to minorities. The aim is to promote entrepreneurship among certain communities, such as veterans, women and ethnic minorities. Licenses will also be prioritized for businesses located in «critical» areas that are impoverished and disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.

The text will have its first reading before the relevant committee next Monday morning at 10am. Two other bills concerning medical cannabis, the S10 proposals and S2426, will also be debated in the same session. One seeks to increase the monthly dose purchasable by patients to 85 grams, the other requires the State Department of Health to grant licenses for 34 new dispensaries and 6 cultivation facilities.