BETHLEHEM, Pa. (WLVT) - In Pennsylvania, medical marijuana is legal. It’s the same story across the river in New Jersey, but last week, the Garden State took the next step and legalized recreational marijuana.
"The legalization of adult-use marijuana is a matter of social justice, economic justice, and racial justice," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. "It is a matter of criminal justice reform. It is a matter of common sense."
Two out of every three New Jersey voters supported legalization. It was one of four states on Election Day that approved ballot measures on recreational marijuana, bringing the total to 15 states nationwide.
There’s growing pressure in neighboring New York and Pennsylvania to follow suit.
"I would think it’s a good bet that if Pennsylvania does not legalize recreational marijuana and New Jersey does, people will go to New Jersey," Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf told PBS39 in October. "As they do that, I'm assuming New Jersey will put a tax on it, so Pennsylvania tax money will be going to New Jersey."
New Jersey will add the state’s 6.625% sales tax on marijuana products, and municipalities can charge an extra 2%. The state estimates the market would bring in $126 million a year once retail is ready to go.
In Pennsylvania, dispensaries like Keystone Canna Remedies (KCR) predict the commonwealth isn’t far behind.
"It's almost a foothold for legalization, and then it's momentum, because we all know that it's coming," said co-founder and chief business development officer Victor Guadagnino. "Really now, the question is 'How do we do it correctly?' How do we set it up for success, and also, how do we protect medical marijuana?"
Last week, dispensary sales in Pennsylvania surpassed $1 billion since the state’s medical marijuana program started two years ago. KCR was the first dispensary to open in the state and now has locations in Bethlehem, Allentown and Stroudsburg. Guadagnino said the industry just keeps growing — and so does the interest about marijuana.
"The taboo is disappearing around cannabis. It's a beautiful thing to see, because it's a beautiful plant if we use it responsibly," he said. "I think that's the important message. As we transition into these programs, protect medical marijuana, and let's approach a new industry responsibly."
New Jersey will officially legalize recreational marijuana on January 1, 2021, but that doesn’t mean customers can buy products that day. The state will need legislation to regulate the market and issue licenses. A special commission will oversee New Jersey’s medical and recreational marijuana sectors.
"For a cannabis industry to have integrity, it must be equitable. It must protect patient access, reflect the diversity of the state, and reinvest revenues into the communities most harmed by prohibition," said Dianna Houenou, chair of New Jersey's Cannabis Regulatory Commission.
In Phillipsburg, a medical marijuana dispensary is set to open later this month. The Apothecarium is on 55 Main Street at the site of the former Phillipsburg Trust Company. PBS39 reached out to the business for an interview, but it didn’t respond in time for this report.
Phillipsburg Mayor Todd Tersigni said his office is looking to the state for guidance, as the town figures out how legalization will work locally.
Several local governments across New Jersey have opposed recreational marijuana, including Warren County. Two years ago, the board of freeholders unanimously voted against it.
Last year, Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman went to all 67 counties to hear from residents about how they feel. The majority of Pennsylvanians indicated support for legalizing recreation marijuana.
Guadagnino said he's not worried about people heading to New Jersey for their weed needs. The Garden State has a supply issue, he said, while Pennsylvania has the hottest market in the country right now.
"I think Pennsylvania has done such a good job with the awareness for medical marijuana and the infrastructure for the program that it will be out ahead of New Jersey, even if we legalize in a year," he said.
It took two years from the time Governor Wolf legalized medical marijuana until it was actually available. Guadagnino said when Pennsylvania legalizes recreational marijuana, his company will emphasize and encourage responsible use.
"The way that you use cannabis should be in a micro-dose fashion, aiming towards functionality and not decreasing functionality," he said. "That's at the core of what we do. We feel that can really translate into a wellness model and into an adult-use model."
Once New Jersey rolls out recreational marijuana, customers must be 21 or older to buy products. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf is urging state lawmakers to legalize recreational marijuana in an effort to boost the state’s economy and help rebound from COVID-19.
But time is running out this year, as the legislative session ends Nov. 30. Republicans control the state House and Senate, and efforts to legalize recreational marijuana have gone up in smoke.