With the signature of Gov. Ralph Northam expected later this week, Virginia will become the 16th state to legalize cannabis for adult use although legalization won’t actually take effect until 2024.
Who’s likely to follow Virginia? There are a number of serious contenders.
At least 12 state legislatures have recreational legalization measures on the table right now, which is a typical number for this time of year. But unlike previous years, in which all but one or two states scrapped their plans right away, as many as five states have a realistic shot at actually passing adult-use, insiders say.
“The pressure is really on lawmakers at every level of government to take action,” said Carly Wolf, NORML’s state policies director. “Public and political support has only continued to increase.”
NORML
Trenton, NJ: Democratic Governor Phil Murphy signed enabling legislation into law on Monday realizing voters’ Election Day demands to legalize adult-use marijuana possession and license retail marijuana sales.
Three bills were signed by the Governor. A21/S21 licenses the commercial production and retail sale of cannabis to adults. Under the new law, those age 21 or older may legally purchase and possess up to one ounce of cannabis. Retail sales are subject to state sales tax. Seventy percent of the revenue derived from sales taxes will be directed toward reinvestment in designated, lower-income communities. An additional excise tax will also be imposed on commercial sales.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) has signed into law legislation legalizing and regulating the use and possession of marijuana for adults 21 years of age and older.
N.J. Governor Signs Sweeping Reform Laws Making the Garden State One of the Most Progressive Marijuana Jurisdictions in U.S. Colin Kalmbacher
New Jersey Gov.
Phil Murphy (D) signed a series of bills into law on Monday that legalize and regulate marijuana in the Garden State clearing the way for long sought after criminal justice reform.
“As of this moment, New Jersey’s broken and indefensible marijuana laws which permanently stained the records of many residents and short-circuited their futures, and which disproportionately hurt communities of color and failed the meaning of justice at every level, social or otherwise are no more,” the governor said during a largely no-frills signing ceremony which belied the grand nature of the action taken in Trenton.
New Jersey: Governor Signs Enabling Legislation to Cease Marijuana Possession Arrests, License Retail Sales Into Law norml.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from norml.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.