Maybe 'Weed' Be Making Progress?
Since NJ Governor Phil Murphy’s election in early 2018, the state has blown rapidly towards marijuana legalization. The move is fueled by social and economic aspirations that promise to boost NJ’s prosperity, however there are a few undeniable drawbacks.
Besides expansion of the medical marijuana program to meet a rising demand of over 40,000 patients, NJ is also expanding their recreational marijuana sector. Senator Scutari’s bill hurtled towards implementation in late 2018, only to be stopped short by a tax disagreement - one that has lasted almost 3 months. While NJ Senate President Sweeney favors a 12% excise tax on sales of recreational weed, Governor Murphy advocates a tax closer to 25%. Taxing disparities in other states offer no help, as rates range from 10.75% in Massachusetts to 37% in Washington. But there’s a valid reason why officials are spending time scrutinizing the numbers: if a state can’t settle on the right price of weed, the black market might grow. Scutari elaborates to NBC News, “I’ve been a proponent of starting off with the lowest possible tax, so this way it’s easier for the public to consume the product, and they don’t feel obligated to continue purchasing black market marijuana.”
The legal age of purchase is set to be 21 or older, and public consumption will remain illegal in most counties. Many policies stem from the progress of our neighbors in Canada, where penalties such as 14 years in prison for people who sell to minors maintain sharp boundaries within their marijuana market. Their ‘green rush’ saw Canadians flocking to government-run marijuana stores throughout the first month of legalization, racking up over $54 million in sales and marking a significant accomplishment.
NJ’s location between the metropolitan hubs of Philly and NYC highlight a crucial economic component to legalization. The bill aims to capitalize upon its opportunity in the regional market by promoting small businesses and simultaneously profiting off of existing corporations. According to The New York Times, 10% of government-mandated marijuana licenses will be given to shops that have no more than 10 workers, are smaller than 2,500 square feet, and that process less than 1,000 pounds of cannabis every month. 25% of licenses must be given to women, minorities or veterans. In addition, the bill hopes to create jobs by legalizing several sectors that were previously a part of the underground market. Forbes found “$2.40 in economic activity for every dollar spent on legal weed,” emphasizing that regardless of support for legalization, the rising weed economy will have profound effects on the development of the state.
Social justice initiatives have also emerged at the forefront of the campaign. NJ Senator Cory Booker introduced the Marijuana Justice Act to the U.S. Senate in 2017, aiming to alleviate racial criminalization. In 2016 alone, NJ reported over 32,000 arrests over marijuana possession, while the ACLU reported that a black NJ resident is “3x more likely to be arrested on marijuana-related offenses than a white resident.” The state’s new bill is revolutionary in its expungement efforts for those previously convicted of possession or personal use. Dianna Houenou, the policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, beams, “Trying to make sure that expungement is done statewide really ensures that they are at the forefront of this effort. Doing this at the outset of legalization, instead of as an afterthought, makes New Jersey a leader.”
Still, some raise questions about the legitimacy of NJ’s efforts. In Colorado, the Drug Policy Alliance found that the number of black juveniles arrested on marijuana charges actually grew after legalization, negating any decriminalization efforts. Critics also point out a potential spike in people driving while high. Following Colorado's legalization in 2014, the state saw an increase in car crashes. Most importantly, the illicit market has dangerously adapted to legal sales of weed. Many illegal dealers dropped their prices to keep customers, or have found ways to manipulate the legal sale of weed for their own profit. There’s even a question of maintaining the purity of neighborhoods. Councilman Peter Brown Jr. of Lindon County expresses concerns about weed shops opening up near local schools.
Still, Americans seem to be increasingly thrilled by the onset of new marijuana policies. As for New Jersey, the potential impact of legalization could reap a plethora of benefits for the state, boosting the lives of residents and bolstering a prosperous economy.