New Jersey Senate president seeks to revamp cannabis law

OG article by Sophie Nieto-Munoz

November 13, 2025

Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) introduced S4847 to overhaul New Jersey's cannabis framework, enabling medical dispensaries to sell recreational products without local opt-in approval—even in the 70% of towns that banned recreational sales post-legalization. This counters declining medical program enrollment, as recreational access (launched April 2022) now covers most products for adults 21+.

The bill eases Cannabis Regulatory Commission ethics: permitting political event attendance with notice, explicit campaigning/fundraising rights, and off-site applicant meetings (logged but exempt from public law unless multi-commissioner). It also allows state employees/families cannabis jobs if ethics or NJ Supreme Court clears conflicts, overturning a 2023 ruling barring judicial staff. Salaries rise: commissioners to $160,000 (from $125,000), chair to $156,000 (from $141,000). It strips the governor's chair appointment power.

Attorney Joshua Bachner slammed changes: "This invites malfeasance, opening floodgates for misconduct." Reviving his January bill that stalled, Scutari—absent comment—targets session's end under Gov. Phil Murphy (term ends Jan. 20), who championed voter-approved legalization.