Cannabis in New Jersey in 2019? It’s closer than you might think, with state legislatures targeting November 26 for an initial committee vote. While New Jersey’s cannabis legalization efforts have seemed an agonizingly slow inevitability for most of 2018, we’re now finally seeing action. NJ.com reported recently that legislatures are anticipating a public hearing and a committee vote by the end of November. Following the hearing and vote, likely to be held on 11/26, state officials would have to decide if the legalization vote would go before the full state senate and assembly by the close of 2018.
It’s a key step for the Garden State which, despite a pro-cannabis governor, polls showing strong support for legalization, and a thriving (if tiny) medical market, has seen its share of hurdles and delays. Still, any progress is progress and the state legislatures are very confident of the proposal passing the committee vote. “We certainly have the votes to get it out of committee,” state assembly speaker, Craig Coughlin, explained to NJ.com.
If the proposal passes committee vote and the full state house vote Gov. Phil Murphy would then sign the bill into law.
Full passage would give NJ a tremendous advantage over likeminded New York, which is still in the public listening/economic development reporting stage of legalization. However, the obvious economic benefit for New Jersey, the most populous state fyi, could cause some major headaches on both sides of the Hudson with eager New Yorkers taking the PATH train or just driving themselves across the state line to buy something illegal (in New York and the federal government’s eyes). As an aside, we remain positively bullish on NJ and NY for developing markets in 2019.
With optimism bubbling up down in Trenton, officials are still being measured about any imminent changes. “It’s harder to make changes when mistakes are made,” State Senate president Stephen Sweeney explained to reporters. As we’ve mentioned in the past, we applaud New Jersey’s diligence in finding the best path forward for adult rec-use marijuana. Where full legalization has been on-boarded, mistakes and corrections have been inevitable. While we’re confident that New Jersey will find their own wrinkles to iron out, studying states such as California, Colorado, Massachusetts and others can only help out.
As always, MMLG is here to remind any would-be New Jersey plant-touching businesses that we do handle licensing, compliance, investment and more. Have questions, we’ve got answers. Get in touch today: Facebook, Instagram, Email, Phone: 310.449.4528.