Feb 23, 2021
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A recreational marijuana marketplace, cannabis decriminalization and looser penalties for underage possession of the drug and alcohol became law Monday in New Jersey, more than three months after voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot question to legalize adult use of the drug.
Acknowledging that the legislation took much longer to be enacted than expected, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy cast aside critics’ attacks the legislation was about filling the state’s coffers with tax revenue or easing penalties on underage possession to the point of making policing difficult.
“The reason I signed these bills, the reason why we’ve been in this fight is for social justice,” he said Monday during a news conference.