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Aaron Morrill

Governor Signs Marijuana Bills

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Today Governor Phil Murphy signed three bills into law regulating the use of marijuana. This follows the approval in November of a referendum making recreational use of cannabis legal in the Garden State.

The governor signed the three bills immediately following passage by legislators of a bill establishing civil penalties for those under 21 caught with marijuana. The governor had only 20 minutes left before two previously passed measures would have gone into effect without his signature.

The legislation now makes the recreational use of marijuana legal for adults 21 and older, removes penalties for small amounts of the drug, and creates a regulated market. 14 states and Washington, DC, have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes. However, DC does not allow recreational sales.

“Maintaining a status quo that allows tens of thousands, disproportionately people of color, to be arrested in New Jersey each year for low-level drug offenses is unjust and indefensible,” said Governor Murphy.

Under the new legislation, a “Cannabis Regulatory Commission” (CRC) will draft regulations governing the medical and adult-use industries, oversee applications for licensing of cannabis businesses, and promote diversity and inclusion in cannabis business ownership. The legislation also provides that revenues from cannabis sales will be funneled to designated “impact zones” including Jersey City.

Companion legislation reforms criminal and civil penalties for marijuana and hashish offenses and provides remedies for people currently facing certain marijuana charges. The bill prevents unlawful low-level distribution and possession offenses from being used in pretrial release, probation, and parole decisions and provides certain protections against discrimination in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation. The bill also creates a pathway to vacate active sentences for certain offenses committed before enactment of the enabling legislation.

“Remaining at status quo meant continued disparity in arrests for African Americans and teens for amounts now to be considered personal use.  We are moving the state in a direction more compassionate for cannabis and in line with what is happening across the country in regards to legalization” said Assemblywoman Angela McKnight.

Senator Sandra Cunningham noted that “For the last fifty years, marijuana criminalization has been used as a tool to propel mass incarceration…It has done immeasurable harm to Black and Brown communities around the country, and today we begin to right the ship here in New Jersey. I look forward to seeing the tangible impact this legislation has on our communities in the years to come.”

 

 

Jersey City Times Staff

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

Jersey City Times Staff

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.”