EAST COAST BOOM

ASSOCIATED PRESS

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signs legislation to set up a recreational marijuana marketplace, Feb. 22 in Trenton, N.J.

The Northeast green rush

Three states move toward legalization, but is equity a priority?

By Hector “Freedom” Gerardo

EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT

The fiscal future of the United States is uncertain following the yearlong COVID-19 pandemic. However, the governors of three Northeast states – Connecticut, New Jersey and New York – have all spoken publicly about the financial benefit of tax income derived from the sales of legalized adult-use of cannabis.

New Jersey

The Garden State passed a constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis in November 2020, but the rules, regulations and implementation parameters still had to be determined. On Feb. 22, Gov. Philip Murphy signed three bills legalizing the adult-use of recreational cannabis and allowing people ages 21 and older to possess up to 6 ounces of cannabis without consequence.

However, there are some glaring red flags: • Home grow has been excluded. If someone is found to be growing cannabis without a license, they will be prosecuted. • People from the ages of 18-20 who are found in possession of cannabis will be fined. Why is this a problem? Consider what areas of New Jersey where this policy will be strictly enforced: predominantly Black and brown communities with a heavy police presence, like Newark and Camden. • There is no mention of labor peace agreements. New Jersey medicinal cannabis employers have been staunchly anti-union and intimidated workers that have tried to unionize for years.

The cannabis industry is applauding New Jersey for its quick legalization process – in Massachusetts, it took two years to get to a law – but what’s the

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