N.J. legal weed bills advance after weeks of controversy. Final votes set for Thursday. nj.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nj.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Asbury Park Press
TRENTON - Just two weeks before a constitutional crisis over legal weed, a bill to set up the framework of a legal marijuana industry appears headed to the floor for a full legislative vote.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday approved the Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, & Marketplace Modernization Act by a 6 to 5 vote, mostly along party lines with Democrats voting in favor and Republicans, joined by Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen, voting against.
That bill, along with a decriminalization bill that would eliminate all penalties for possession of up to 6 ounces of weed, is required to be enacted in order for the ballot question and constitutional amendment overwhelmingly approved by New Jersey voters to take effect on Jan. 1.