marijuana | WBGO

N.J. black and Latino leaders renew push for marijuana decriminalization

By Joe Hernandez • Jun 28, 2019

Black and Latino leaders in New Jersey say Gov. Phil Murphy and legislative leaders are not doing enough to advance the cause of social justice in the state.

At an event Thursday in Trenton, a coalition of lawmakers and advocates called on the top Democrats to take up or sign several pieces of legislation they said would help black and Latino residents across the Garden State.

Expunging your marijuana conviction in N.J. could get easier

By Joe Hernandez • Jun 12, 2019

New Jersey lawmakers are moving ahead with legislation to make it easier for people with marijuana convictions to expunge their criminal records.

The bill, which was approved by both houses of the state Legislature on Tuesday, now awaits the signature of Gov. Phil Murphy.

What is not on Murphy’s desk is the companion legislation to legalize recreational marijuana, which failed to win enough support among lawmakers and was eventually abandoned by top Democrats in favor of putting the question before voters on the November 2020 election ballot.

New Jersey’s medical marijuana program expansion plan advances

By Joe Hernandez • May 31, 2019

A bill to greatly expand New Jersey’s medical marijuana program cleared the state Senate Thursday. It now heads to the full Assembly for a vote.

The proposal would increase the maximum number of medical marijuana dispensaries, allow patients to buy larger quantities of the drug, and slowly phase out the sales tax on medical cannabis.

Although the bill passed easily, some lawmakers still raised doubts about the state’s medical marijuana program, which has been growing rapidly under Gov. Phil Murphy.

N.J. legislators call off planned recreational marijuana vote over lack of support

By Joe Hernandez • Mar 25, 2019

Legislative leaders in New Jersey canceled a scheduled vote Monday on a plan to legalize recreational marijuana, citing a lack of support from members.

State Sen. President Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, said the Senate specifically did not have enough votes to pass the legislation, but the Assembly also called off its planned vote.

“I might’ve underestimated the challenge in getting this passed,” Sweeney said. “We’re postponing today. But that does in no way mean that we have failed or that we’re walking away from it.”

N.J. Legislature moves one step closer to legalizing recreational marijuana

By Joe Hernandez • Mar 19, 2019

Two key committees in the New Jersey Legislature have approved bills to legalize recreational marijuana and allow past offenders to expunge their criminal records.

Gov. Phil Murphy and top Democrats in the Legislature have long agreed on legalization in principle but had been negotiating the details of such legislation for months.

The Assembly Appropriations Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee held votes on the two bills late Monday night, following hours of delays and last-minute amendments to the legislation.

Booker again introduces marijuana legalization bill

By Joe Hernandez • Mar 1, 2019

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey has reintroduced legislation to legalize marijuana at the federal level.

The second-term Democrat said marijuana use is so common — even among politicians — that people should no longer go to prison for it.

“You have people being punished for doing things that two of the last three [U.S.] presidents admitted to doing,” Booker said Thursday on Facebook Live. “You have congresspeople and senators now wanting to admit their marijuana usage, at the same time that people are in jail for doing what they admitted.”

N.J. Legislature committees vote to legalize marijuana

By jhernandez • Nov 27, 2018

The Garden State has moved one step closer to legalizing the personal use of marijuana, following votes by two key legislative committees.

The Senate and Assembly Judiciary committees voted Monday to approve a bill that would legalize the adult use of one ounce or less of marijuana.

State Sen. President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said the bills would be posted for a full vote after top Democratic lawmakers worked out the details with Gov. Phil Murphy, who supports legalization.

Sweeney Hopes Lawmakers Pass Marijuana Bills This Summer

By Phil Gregory • Jul 23, 2018

New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney says he’s hoping lawmakers will pass legislation by the end of the summer to legalize recreational marijuana use for adults.

Sweeney says he’s working with Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin on bills they can advance that would expand New Jersey’s medical marijuana program and make recreational pot use legal.

He says the medical bill will be tied to the recreational use measure and won’t move forward without it.

Judicary Committee Approves Murphy's Health Commissioner Nominee

By Phil Gregory • Mar 9, 2018

Governor Murphy’s nominee to be New Jersey’s Health Commissioner spend most of his confirmation hearing answering questions about the state’s marijuana policies.

Shereef Elnahal told lamakers than when a 60-day review ordered by the governor is completed, suggestions will be made to improve the state’s medical marijuana program.