Legalize recreational marijuana in New Jersey will have a face and happen on March 7th as the bill is finalized. But, don’t expect consuming the stuff until next year – 2020. Based on other states’ programs from soliciting license holders to the final inspection of facilities, the average time-frame is eleven months. Nothing swiftly will happen in New Jersey, nor would the state legislators press the anxious button. Legally purchase weed will not happen this year.

Sweeney, D-Gloucester, said he hopes to have a final version of the bill to review shortly, setting the stage for the Senate president and other leaders to begin corralling lawmakers to vote for the plan. “Once we finally say, ‘Here is the bill,’ and we’re gonna' have a hearing on it and we’re gonna' put it up in committees, that’s when you can start talking about votes,” Sweeney said.

Projected steps and time-frame to execute: (1) Create a commission and set guidelines - four months. (2) Solicit licensees, background checks of individuals, organizations and facility inspections - 4 months. (3) Local and administrative approvals - 3 months.