New Jersey on track to legalize recreational cannabis within 100 days

The countdown began yesterday when New Jersey residents elected their new Governor, Phil Murphy, a pro-legalization candidate.

Phil Murphy will have the pleasure of succeeding Governor Chris Christie (Republican), who was elected twice and embraced the ideals of Prohibition alongside Jeff Sessions. Christie leaves office as America's most unpopular governor, with 71% of dissatisfaction. On the other hand, he will continue to sit on the opioid commission set up by Donald Trump.

Murphy and his opponent, Kim Guadagno, had different views on cannabis. Guadagno was content to move towards decriminalization, which Murphy criticized on the grounds that it would not eliminate the black market, which cares little about the age of its consumers.

“The drug industry remains underground, run by the same people and unregulated, with miners particularly exposed,” he had said during a debate during the election. “But apart from the fact that you don't earn taxes on it, which is also a reality, the fact is that it remains the Wild West.”.

Phil Murphy wants a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis within 100 days on his desk. If the proposal passes, New Jersey would be the first U.S. state to legalize cannabis through state government rather than citizen initiatives.

The future cannabis market in New Jersey would bring in over $300 million in taxes per year.

Until now, a citizen was arrested for cannabis every 22 minutes in the state, and 1 black had 3 times more likely to be arrested despite consumption rates identical to those of whites.