New Jersey now lets people legally buy marijuana by choice, and it must grudgingly allow more residents to legally carry guns due to a Supreme Court ruling.
One year ago Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy signed the law legalizing the adult use of recreational marijuana in New Jersey – but don’t run out to a state-regulated dispensary to celebrate.
An unofficial count shows 360 municipalities have opted out of legal marijuana industry and 90 have opted in. But new state rules could sway the reluctant.
The Legislature is preparing required enabling legislation and could act by December, but legal adult-use marijuana sales might take until mid-2021 to begin.
Supporters of marijuana legalization outnumbered opponents, as the Legislature held two public hearings in advance of Monday votes on a ballot question.
New Jersey current has six medical marijuana ATCs, with six more now seeking permits. The state Health Department says 90 will be needed in three years.