TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The Latest on recreational marijuana legalization (all times local):
4 p.m.
New Jersey legislators advanced a measure to legalize recreational cannabis.
A joint Democrat-led Assembly and Senate committee on Monday voted to send the legislation for a floor vote after more than four hours of debate in a standing-room-only crowd.
The legislation legalizes an ounce of marijuana for adults 21 and over, sets up a five-person cannabis commission and taxes cannabis at 12 percent.
That includes the 6.625 percent sales tax. The draft also allows towns and cities to apply for up to a 2 percent tax on cannabis.
Lawmakers dropped an earlier proposal to phase in a higher rate over five years from 7 percent to 25 percent.
The legislation also calls for expediting expungements for people with marijuana-related criminal backgrounds.
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11:50 a.m.
New Jersey lawmakers have begun considering legislation to legalize recreational cannabis.
A joint Democrat-led Assembly and Senate committee on Monday began discussing the package of measures before a standing-room-only crowd.
The legislation legalizes an ounce of marijuana for adults 21 and over, sets up a five-person cannabis commission and taxes cannabis at 12 percent.
That includes the 6.625 percent sales tax. The draft also allows towns and cities to apply for up to a 2 percent tax on cannabis.
Lawmakers dropped an earlier proposal to phase in a higher rate over five years from 7 percent to 25 percent.
The legislation also calls for expediting expungements for people with marijuana-related criminal backgrounds.
Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy supports legalization. His office didn't respond when the new legislation was unveiled Wednesday.
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10:45 a.m.
New Jersey lawmakers are set to consider legislation to legalize recreational cannabis.
A joint Democrat-led Assembly and Senate committee is scheduled to discuss the package of measures Monday.
The legislation legalizes an ounce of marijuana for adults 21 and old, sets up a five-person cannabis commission and taxes the sale of cannabis at 12 percent.
That includes the 6.625 percent sales tax. The draft also allows towns and cities to apply for up to a 2 percent tax on cannabis.
Lawmakers dropped an earlier proposal to phase in a higher rate over five years from 7 percent to 25 percent.
The legislation also calls for expediting expungements for people with marijuana-related criminal backgrounds.
Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy supports legalization. His office didn't respond when the new legislation was unveiled Wednesday..
