PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — After years of awareness-building work, marijuana producers in New Jersey are just about ready to go as sales for recreational cannabis begin next Thursday, creating an economy that an industry executive said will be important for the state.
17 months after New Jersey’s voters made recreational marijuana legal, and 14 months after Gov. Phil Murphy signed laws to legalize the recreation marketplace, Thursday’s announcement from Murphy was exactly what New Jersey Cannabusiness Association President Edmund DeVeaux wanted to read and hear.
“I think it’s absolutely appropriate to recognize that this is the culmination of hard work,” said DeVeaux, who had an important role in raising awareness about legalizing marijuana.
“It was the five years of working with the legislature, working with the voting public, working with municipalities to help them to understand that the sky does not fall just because you legalize cannabis.”
A lot of towns have taken a “not in my backyard” approach and opted out of allowing marijuana businesses to operate, but DeVeaux said he has already been seeing a shift in mentality there. He also explained that elected officials have begun to see the potential benefits of the industry moving forward.
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DeVeaux expressed that he has taken pride in seeing the state remain committed to the promise of social justice in the industry, even if the early steps didn’t fully deliver on that objective.
“The goal is, and we will ultimately get there, is making sure that minority-owned businesses, New Jersey-owned businesses, come to the forefront of this industry,” said DeVeaux.
“This was all about making sure that New Jersey businesses, New Jersey people are employed, and that minorities and disadvantaged communities absolutely benefit from the growth and evolution of this market.”
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The state has issued 102 licenses so far, with many more to come. But in the beginning, just about a dozen dispensaries will be open statewide with several in South Jersey. The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission will announce the open dispensaries on or before April 21.
Lines are expected early on to purchase recreational cannabis, but medical marijuana patients will get priority access. Some facilities have said they would reserve parking spaces for patients as well as keep hours specifically for patients only.
Legislation governing the recreational marijuana market calls for a sales tax of higher than 6% to apply. Towns can also levy a tax of up to 2%. Murphy's fiscal year 2023 budget, which is pending before the Democrat-led Legislature, estimates revenues of just $19 million in a nearly $49 billion budget.
The Associated Press and KYW Staff have contributed to this report.
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