NJ to put off adult-use cannabis legislation until later this summer

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New Jersey lawmakers won’t act on adult-use marijuana legislation until after the state budget impasse is resolved, NJ.com reported Tuesday.

The decision was expected because lawmakers are focused on beating a June 30 deadline for passing the budget.

State Sen. Nicholas Scutari, a Democrat who is sponsoring a recreational marijuana bill, told NJ.com that he believes the legislation could be ironed out later this summer.

Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies for the Marijuana Policy Project, also recently told Marijuana Business Daily that momentum is strong for legalizing adult-use in New Jersey, and she thinks it likely will happen this year.

New Jersey has a year-long Legislature so there’s time to get it done.

Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, has been a strong supporter of legalizing marijuana and, since taking office this year, has expanded the state’s medical marijuana program.