The Garden State has a green new deal.
New Jersey became the 13th state to legalize recreational marijuana after the governor signed into law three bills on Monday, according to the Asbury Park Press.
“New Jersey’s broken, indefensible marijuana laws, which permanently stained the records of many residents and short-circuited their futures, disproportionately hurt communities of color and failed the meaning of justice at every level, social or otherwise, are no more,” Gov. Phil Murphy said at a press conference.
The trio of bills received tremendous support from voters in the last election, which posed marijuana legalization and possession as a question for approval on the state’s election ballot, according to a readout.
The laws signed Monday permits the possession and use of marijuana by anyone over 21 years old within the state of New Jersey, and residents may have up to 6 ounces of marijuana on them without any punishment.
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“We are fulfilling the will of the voters by allowing adult-use cannabis, while having in place commonsense measures to deter its use among kids,” Murphy said in his announcement.
People who wish to purchase legal marijuana will likely have to wait up to a year until the state issues licenses to growers and storefronts to sell to the general public. Currently, New Jersey has 13 medical marijuana dispensaries, according to NJ.com.
Some marijuana offenses will remain criminal, including drug distribution and growing cannabis plants without a license. Distribution of up to 1 ounce will be penalized with a written warning on a first offense.
The governor also signed a “clean up” bill designed to handle how New Jersey will penalize underage marijuana users.
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The legislation puts into place a three-tiered warning system for underage marijuana and alcohol use. The most serious penalty out of the warning system model will be a referral to community service groups to teach underage offenders about substance abuse.
