Marijuana

Interim rules set licensing priorities, fees and more but leave some details for later. A date to start sales isn't set but must happen by Feb. 15.

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 Senate's top Democrat has joined one of New Jersey's U.S. senators in backing a bill that would strike down a longstanding federal prohibition on marijuana.

The latest impact of New Jersey's recreational marijuana law has come into the fold as nearly 88,000 cases related to certain marijuana and hashish convictions or pending cases have been vacated or dismissed.

State officials have a message for businesses that have been selling baked goods and other snacks with a “free gift” of marijuana on the side — knock it off, as it’s not legal.

Towns have the ultimate say over whether marijuana businesses are allowed locally and many are already blocking them, at least temporarily. A related debate is percolating over how much more say the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission should yield to local governments.

Except for one research scientist, a parade of advocates urged the state to allow high-potency edibles and concentrates to be sold at New Jersey dispensaries.

Ocean City already has a ban in place, approved unanimously with a City Council vote in April. A city spokesman said dispensaries don't fall in line with "Ocean City's brand as America’s Greatest Family Resort.”

As the Garden State inches closer to an official launch of its adult-use cannabis marketplace, the jury is out on what the move will mean in the way of safety on New Jersey's roads and, in turn, auto insurance rates.

"This does not change the drug-free workplace policies, and employers are not required to allow the use of cannabis in the workplace," said Amy Rudley, a partner with Cooper Levenson in Atlantic City.