Legal cannabis in New Jersey is one step closer to reality. Following a packed, four-hour long public hearing session in Trenton, a committee vote pushed the cannabis bill to a full vote of the New Jersey statehouse. If the bill passes that vote, Governor Phil Murphy would then write it into law or veto it. The committee vote, a key step towards legalizing, arrived after months of deliberations and now clears a path for legalization in 2019. Where will New Jersey and the rest of the East Coast go from here? Let’s consider some options.

New Jersey Cannabis Is Thissss Close To Legalization

Like we’ve been saying for a minute, New Jersey legalization is a case of “when” and not “if”. That when is starting to look more and more like 2019 or 2020 at this point. While, yes, there are still two crucial hurdles to clear (full vote by state legislatures, Gov. Murphy’s approval), those hurdles appear to be formalities at this point. Murphy ran his gubernatorial campaign on a pro-cannabis platform and even heretofore opponents of legalization have, in recent weeks, begun to sing a different tune.

New Jersey’s Legalization Will Force Other States To Make a Move

Since Massachusetts legalized back on July 1, the East Coast has been abuzz with who would legalize next. With the Bay State officially having legal cannabis retail for one week and pulling in some tidy profits already, that buzz will grow to a roar now. New Jersey also now appears to be the next domino to fall and will surely force New York state’s hand. New Yorkers will now be a mere bus ride across the Hudson from legalized marijuana sales. Newly re-elected Andrew Cuomo will not be thrilled about the lost tax revenue of New Yorker citizens and tourists alike flocking to Jersey City or Hoboken for some weed.

New Jersey’s legalization would also put New York in a sticky situation when it comes to interstate movement of a class I substance. Talk about a situation ripe for legal interpretation and compliance issues. Oh right, we’re MMLG and we handle cannabis compliance and licensing! –Ed.

Beyond New York, other states such as Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Missouri will be re-evaluating their medical marijuana policies. The eastern half of the United States is, at present, like the frontier of old in reverse. This is a green rush and everyone’s going to be staking their claims.