2018 expected to be watershed year for recreational pot laws

DENVER » While not likely to be as historic as the legalization wave of 2016, this is expected to be a watershed year for the cannabis industry.

For the first time, from all indications, state legislatures are poised to pass recreational marijuana legalization laws, with the East Coast being the most fertile ground for such efforts.

Vermont appears to be leading the charge after state lawmakers Wednesday approved legislation permitting citizens to possess and home grow marijuana. Republican Gov. Phil Scott said he will sign the legislation.

So far, the recreational cannabis laws that exist in eight states and Washington DC have been enacted by voters.

But some state legislatures are poised to lead the way, apparently brushing off the decision by Attorney General Jeff Sessions to rip up Obama-era protections for states with legal marijuana industries.

If those efforts are successful, it could provide the impetus for other states to follow.

“This would be a major development for the cannabis industry,” said Michael Bronstein, a marijuana industry advocate who’s involved in efforts to legalize recreational MJ in New Jersey, one of several states where lawmakers are working on adult-use bills.

“It would show lawmakers across the country that they can pass adult-use laws and the sky won’t fall,” he added.

“In fact, it would show that they are in lockstep with public sentiment, which overwhelmingly favors adult-use legalization.”

Here’s the latest snapshot of rec legalization efforts in statehouses:

—Vermont, as noted, is on the precipice of a legislaturecreated recreational marijuana law, though it’s limited in scope.

—New Jersey’s lawmakers appear strongly positioned to approve adult use.

—The Rhode Island and New Hampshire legislatures are entertaining recreational measures, although their odds of passing adultuse laws are notably longer.

Prohibitionist Republican Gov. Chris Christie is leaving office, and his pro-cannabis successor, Democrat Phil Murphy, takes control Jan. 16.

Murphy will work with a state legislature where Democrats control both chambers and many favor legalization.

In New Jersey, Sessions’ announcement could motivate some lawmakers in the post-Christie era to support legalization even more, giving them another issue with which to jab the Trump administration.

“It’s certainly a factor,” said Kate Bell, a legislative analyst with the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) who covers New Jersey.

Added Bronstein: “This will be discussed for context as policy is adopted, but it won’t change the political will for legalization.”

Indeed, both Murphy and New Jersey’s top lawmakers spoke in favor of legalization after Sessions’ announcement

“Governor-elect Murphy believes strongly in New Jersey’s right to chart its own course on legalizing marijuana,” a spokesman said in a statement, according to Politico.com. Senate President Steve Sweeney also chimed in:

“We will continue to work toward legalization and will resist any attempts by Attorney General Sessions or the Trump administration to impose its will on the states and to stop the progress that has been made to reform the prohibition-type mentality that criminalizes the use of marijuana.”

New Jersey’s pro-cannabis lawmakers are expected to introduce a compilation of recreational marijuana bills that already have been proposed.