Many have been on their tippy toes waiting for the deadline on Monday to see if New Jersey would be able to get enough support to legalize recreational marijuana.
It unfortunately did not happen.
Despite the state’s governor Phil Murphy supporting the legalization of recreational marijuana as well as 60% of the state, the historic vote in the state Legislature on the bill allowing for legalized pot for adults 21 and older did not happen.
There was just not enough votes in the state Senate leading to Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, cancelling the vote.
“This vote is not like a regular vote,” Sweeney said. “It’s a very tough, difficult vote. When you’re doing big things, it takes time.”
“We were really close today,” said Scott Rudder, president of the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association. “I think where some people had concerns dealt with the process. Some people felt it was rushed.”
State Sen. Kip Bateman, R-Somerset, stated. “The decision by legislative leaders to cancel today’s planned votes on marijuana legalization is reflective of the significant concerns that exist among both Republicans and Democrats with current proposals.”
“I truly believe there is bipartisan support for significant marijuana reforms, including the expansion of our medical marijuana program and decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana,” he added. “Unfortunately, we were presented an all or nothing proposition on some poorly structured bills, which doomed the potential for achieving significant marijuana reform from the start.”
