
New Jersey has become the twelfth state to legalize recreational marijuana by the overwhelming support of voters. On Tuesday, voters in New Jersey took to the polls for their last votes, to approve the ballot for legal recreational marijuana. The ballot measure approved by voters this year, amends the constitution to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for people 21 and older in the state of New Jersey. The cultivation, processing and sale of retail recreational marijuana was also legalized by ballot vote.
Some state lawmakers in New Jersey voiced support for the measure and further legislation earlier this year. "Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy took to social media this Tuesday (Oct. 6th, 2020) calling for the legalization of marijuana, in light of the exuberant cost of incarcerating individuals for cannabis related crimes." After the polls closed yesterday, New Jersey cannabis enthusiasts took to social media to celebrate new legislation passing.
"More Green For The Garden State"
Though New Jersey voters have approved the measure for legal recreational cannabis, more needs to be done before a legal cannabis market is available to the public. New jersey residents may not be able to make legal purchase of recreational marijuana until more regulations and processes are determined by lawmakers. There is still a lot that needs to be clarified by lawmakers, such as quantity limits on cannabis and mature plants. Before recreational marijuana can be readily available in New Jersey, Gov. Murphy and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin must name appointees for a Cannabis Regulatory Commission to be formed. As with other legal cannabis states, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission will more than likely be responsible for licensing and regulation.
However, the news remains positive for cannabis advocates. Prior to the polls closing, New Jersey State Senate member Nicholas Scutari mentioned that existing medical marijuana dispensaries may possibly begin selling to the public once the measure becomes law. This is contingent on medical marijuana dispensaries being able to satisfy the demand of medical marijuana patients as their first priority.
It is uncertain whether the current 12 medical marijuana dispensaries in New Jersey are able to handle the demand of the entire state, so there could be some difficulty in meeting the demand of consumers once they are allowed to. One thing for certain, is that New Jersey cannabis advocates are ready to indulge in a future cannabis market. However, some local municipalities are pushing back against the measure, claiming that they will not allow recreational marijuana dispensaries into their towns. There are still no comprehensive laws regulating sale of cannabis in New Jersey, and this opposing view from some municipalities might cause swifter action by lawmakers to hold a stance on set rules a regulations moving forward.
"NJ Voters Approve Recreational Marijuana"
Legalized recreational cannabis in New Jersey will have a great impact on the overall crime rate in the state, and possibly make room for forgiveness bills to pardon low level non violent marijuana crime offenders in the state of New Jersey. This will help marginalized communities and improve the lives of people targeted by authorities for what will now be legal in the state of New Jersey. However, many question the reasons behind the push for legal cannabis in the state of New Jersey, and believe that it is driven by the high expectation generating large amounts of tax dollars, as with other legal cannabis states. It is believed that New Jersey could generate upwards of $200 million in legal cannabis sales, which could not only help with programs meant to help communities, but also provide tax dollars for recovering from the economical damage caused during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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