NJ weed bill clears final hurdle before major vote on Thursday
Lawmakers on Tuesday advanced a bill that would set the rules for the sale of legal weed, clearing the final hurdle before the full Legislature votes on the historic legislation Thursday.
The Assembly Appropriations Committee heard testimony Tuesday morning on several amendments made to the bill (A21) this month. They include limiting the number of marijuana growers the state can license during the first two years following the bill’s passage, directing much of the tax revenue to certain minority communities harmed by the war on drugs, and expanding the ability of employers to test workers for marijuana.
The committee voted 7-4to approve it, a day after the Senate Judiciary Committee cleared an identical piece of legislation. The bill is necessary to outline the details of and implement the constitutional amendment New Jersey voters passed on Nov. 3.
Both the Senate and the Assembly have scheduled full floor votes on the bill for Thursday. If it passes, it will be up to Gov. Phil Murphy to sign it into law.
Lawmakers also plan to vote on another bill that would decriminalize possession of up to six ounces of marijuana Thursday.
Bill’s Tax Structure
Debates on the bill’s tax structure have delayed its passage and led to multiple amendments to reach the current plan: All of a Social Equity Excise Fee levied on marijuana growers and 70% of the state sales tax will go to programs in communities the state has designated as the most harmed by marijuana prohibition.
While racial and social justice advocates have supported some changes, they have still called for giving priority for those with prior convictions or living in the “impact zones” in awarding licenses to grow marijuana. The advocates also want stronger guarantees the tax money would be used in those communities.
“I recommend establishing a social equity applicant status,” said Jessica Gonzalez, general counsel for Minorities for Medical Marijuana. “There’s still a considerable amount of uncertainty surrounding the tax allocation to social equity applications.”
She and other advocates said making such a change could prevent large companies from coming into those cities. And towns and hiring just a small number of local workers.