The push to legalize recreational weed in New Jersey includes a new “social equity” tax that would benefit communities of color disproportionately affected by drug laws.
Bills by both the Senate and Assembly allow the Cannabis Regularly Commission to levy an optional Social Equity Excise Fee for programs aimed at alleviating racial disparities.
“We’ve spelled out the communities that we look for this money to be invested in,” Senate President Stephen Sweeney said during a roundtable discussion Monday, according to NJ.com. “I think we made our intentions very clear in the Senate.”
The legislation initially proposed that marijuana sales would be subjected to the 6.625 percent state tax — but the amount was boosted to 7 percent last month, the Asbury Park Press reported.
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