New Jersey postpones vote on recreational marijuana bill

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says he's disappointed but "not defeated" after legislation to legalize recreational marijuana failed to get enough votes to pass the Legislature.

Murphy spoke Monday alongside legislative leaders, just hours after the state Senate postponed a vote because it didn't have enough support.

Murphy cast the delayed vote as a bump in the road on the way toward making New Jersey the 11th state to legalize recreational weed.

The bill stalled despite Democratic control of state government and highlighted the difficulty Murphy and leaders faced in persuading people to support legalization.

Murphy says he'll continue to push for the legislation, but the timing of a vote is unclear.

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WHEN COULD YOU START USING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA?

The bill says that it would be legal to possess up to an ounce as soon as the bill is enacted, but it would be longer until the legal marketplace is set up. 

Medical marijuana facilities would be cleared to begin offering recreational cannabis soon after the bill passes but are required to keep enough product to serve patients first. 

It could be about six months retail locations open since the commission would have to set guidelines. 

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HOW DOES NEW JERSEY'S TAX COMPARE TO OTHER STATES'?

Lawmakers are proposing the $42 per-ounce tax, with towns permitted to tax more, up to 3 percent in the case of retailers. 

Most states with recreational marijuana levy an excise tax as a percentage, though Alaska also levies a per-ounce tax, which is set at $50, according to a survey of tax rates by the conservative-leaning Tax Foundation. 

New Jersey's lawmakers have said they're pursuing the flat rate as a way to guard against revenue fluctuations if the market price changes. 

Medical marijuana in New Jersey is currently subjected to the state's 6.625 percent sales tax, but that's being phased out by 2024 under the pending legislation.