Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said recreational marijuana sales to people over the age of 21 will begin on April 21 in New Jersey. “This is a historic step in our work to create a new cannabis industry,” Murphy said on Twitter Thursday. The news comes just three days after state regulators granted seven establishments already selling medical cannabis permission to start selling recreational marijuana. And he came about a year and a half after voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot to legalize recreational marijuana for those 21 and older, about a year after the state’s regulatory commission took action.
A bill to allow recreational marijuana in Delaware was defeated in the state legislature last month. Three of New Jersey’s seven facilities, known as alternative treatment centers, are located in the northern part of the state. 3 in the south and 1 in the middle. For approval, the center agreed that the upcoming influx of recreational shoppers would not disrupt patient access.The facility said it would reserve parking for patients and observe patient-only hours.
New Jersey and 17 other states, as well as the District of Columbia, have legalized recreational marijuana. Thirty-seven states, including New Jersey, have legalized medical marijuana. Leisure sales in New Jersey are expected to open before New York, which is not expected to open until the end of the year, state officials said. Neighboring Pennsylvania has medical marijuana, but not recreational marijuana. Some cities, such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, have enacted ordinances to decriminalize marijuana or make it a lower priority for law enforcement.
According to the commission, the state has about 130,000 medical marijuana patients, and an estimated 800,000 potential recreational users and “tourist” users are less than 800,000. Ben Kovler, CEO of Green Thumb Industries, which operates pharmacies in several states, is preparing to launch recreational sales at its Paterson and Bloomfield facilities. Kovler said he expects a “tsunami” of demand to come.
“We are witnessing the end of Prohibition 2.0,” he said in an emailed statement.
“We remain committed to social justice. Ultimately, we hope to see companies and workers that reflect the diversity of the state.” Murphy’s fiscal 2023 budget, which is pending in the Democratic-led Congress, puts her at just $19 million in earnings against a nearly $49 billion budget.
Alternative treatment centers that already sell medicinal cannabis are getting a head start in the recreational market, but regulators are setting the terms in their favor. Centers must meet social justice standards such as: B. Provide technical knowledge to new marijuana businesses, especially social justice applicants (those located in economically difficult areas of the state or individuals who have experienced cannabis-related crime).
News Summary:
- US state of New Jersey will begin selling recreational marijuana on April 21
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