New Jersey legalizes marijuana use

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a bill to legalize marijuana use for adults 21 years and older in the state.

A.B. 21, which passed the state’s Assembly with a 49-24 vote and the Senate in a 23-17 vote, legalizes the personal use of marijuana, decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of marijuana or hashish, and removes marijuana as a Schedule I drug.

A.B. 21 also creates a Cannabis Regulatory Commission to promulgate regulations governing the medical and adult use of marijuana in the state and oversee the licensing of marijuana businesses.

The governor also signed into law A.B. 1897, which reforms criminal and civil penalties for marijuana offenses, and S.B. 3454, which clarifies penalties for the use and possession of marijuana by individuals younger than 21 years of age.