New Jersey Lawmakers Considering Referendum To Legalize Marijuana
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey lawmakers on Thursday scheduled hearings on a proposal to let voters decide in 2020 whether to legalize recreational marijuana. Democrat-led Assembly and Senate committees set hearings on the proposed referendum.
Lawmakers failed in March to advance legislation legalizing recreational cannabis, despite support from Democratic leaders and Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, so they plan to seek support from voters.
The proposed amendment must pass with a three-fifths majority in both houses in a single year, or with a simple majority in two consecutive years in order to appear on the ballot.
Under the amendments, voters are being asked whether to approve recreational marijuana for those 21 and older. All sales of cannabis products would be subject to the 6.625% sales tax. Towns could also pass ordinances to charge a local tax as well.
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press.