New Jersey Legislature Reaches Deal on Cannabis Legalization

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said on Friday that lawmakers have come to an agreement on the bills to legalize cannabis required by the voter-approved ballot question. In a statement posted on Twitter, Murphy said the legislation “is a critical step in reducing racial disparities and social inequities that have long plagued” the state’s criminal justice system.

“This legislation will accomplish our shared goals of delivering restorative justice and ensuring that the communities most impacted by the War on Drugs see the economic benefits of the adult-use cannabis market. While there is still much work ahead, we are one step closer to building a news, promising industry for our state.” – Murphy in a statement

According to an NBC New York report, the legalization bill caps cultivation licenses at 37 but allows licensed growers to open as many dispensaries as they can get approved by municipalities. The cap will expire after two years.