Legislation that would legalize adult use marijuana in New Jersey gained the approval of a Senate committee today. Sponsored by Senator Nicholas Scutari and Senate President Steve Sweeney, the bill, S-2703, would legalize the possession and use of limited amounts of marijuana for adults 21 and older and create an organizational and regulatory system to oversee the operations of the business.

“Marijuana prohibition has failed,” said Senator Scutari (D-Union). “It is time to end the detrimental effect these archaic drug laws are having on our residents and our state. This bill will create a strictly regulated system that permits adults to purchase limited amounts of marijuana for personal use. It will bring marijuana out of the underground market where it can be controlled, regulated and taxed, just as alcohol has been for decades.”

The bill was approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee with a vote of 7 – 4, with two abstentions.    .

“Marijuana is already being sold and used but it is the dealers who are running the drug trade and they are selling marijuana that is sometimes laced with other products,” said Senator Sweeney (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). [Read more at InsiderNJ]