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When it Comes to Marijuana JC is a VIP

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Under legislation passed this week in Trenton legalizing recreational use of marijuana, Jersey City will qualify as an “impact zone,” entitling it to additional tax revenue generated from marijuana sales and priority for cannabis licenses. The purpose of impact zones is to address the disproportionate impact that enforcement of marijuana laws has had historically on Black and brown communities.

Governor Murphy is expected to sign the legislation, which would take effect on January 1, 2021.

A “Cannabis Regulatory Commission” will have the responsibility of awarding licenses to growers and retail shops where customers can light up openly.

When it comes to quantity, New Jersey’s law will be the most liberal of the 15 states that have legalized recreational weed.  Residents will be allowed to possess up to six ounces, no questions asked.

However, if you were thinking about growing your own, forget it. Unlike many other pot legalizing states, home-grown is strictly verboten in Jersey.

While cities and towns will have the legal right to prohibit marijuana business within their borders, it would be expected that Jersey City will not be one, having enacted a policy to cease or reduce marijuana arrests and prosecutions in 2018.

In October, Ward E Councilman James Solomon and Councilman At-Large Rolando Lavarro called for the city to dedicate any revenues generated by a local marijuana tax to the Jersey City Public Schools.

In addition, criminal convictions for activities which are now being legalized will be automatically expunged. Marijuana use or possession will no longer be grounds for for parole and probation violations.

Photo by Brandon Nickerson from Pexels

Marijuana Should Fund Schools say Lavarro and Solomon

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Ward E Councilman James Solomon and Councilman At-Large Rolando Lavarro are calling for Mayor Fulop and the entire City Council to dedicate any revenues generated by a local marijuana tax to the Jersey City Public Schools.

If New Jersey voters pass state public question #1 this November, they will amend the Constitution and legalize the use of marijuana. The question in part reads: “If authorized by the Legislature, a municipality may pass a local ordinance to charge a local tax on cannabis products.” Both councilmen support the measure and are urging voters to vote “Yes” on state public question #1.

JCPS is grappling with a budget crisis.  A 2018 change in the formula by which the state helps fund school districts hit Jersey City particularly hard. Jersey City was permitted under companion legislation to impose a 1% payroll tax to help fill the funding gap and did so in November of 2018. However, the payroll tax turned out to be only a partial solution. This year, facing a $120 million shortfall, the BOE adopted a $736 million budget. To do so, it hiked the school tax levy by 39% raising it from $136 million to $189 million. This had the effect of raising  the average homeowner’s tax bill over $550.

“Funding our public schools is essential to building a fair and equal city for all. Ensuring tax revenue from marijuana is used for that purpose, and not political patronage, is extremely important,” said Solomon.

Lavarro added that the tax would provide “a stable, dedicated funding source to our public schools, our students and their families, who have endured much turmoil and uncertainty over the past several years.”