Marijuana New Jersey
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Recreational marijuana is now legal in the State of NJ. Voters gave a referendum on the legalization of Cannabis the thumbs up in November of 2020. Following lengthy negotiations, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law Monday legislation to set up a recreational marijuana marketplace, decriminalize cannabis and loosen penalties for underage possession of the drug and alcohol.
The move comes more than three months since voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot question to legalize adult use of the drug.
“We are fulfilling the will of the voters by allowing adult-use cannabis,” said Murphy “while having in place common-sense measures to deter its use among kids.”
The Democrat-led Assembly and Senate passed the last-minute measure Monday to ease penalties on underage possession of both alcohol and marijuana as a way to secure Democratic Gov. Murphy’s signature on legislation they had sent him in December.
More than two-thirds of New Jersey voters backed a marijuana ballot question in November. The constitutional amendment put forth by the referendum could not take effect until the legislative action that took place yesterday.
