Murphy signs Concealed Carry Law
Today, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation that will significantly limit where guns can be carried in New Jersey, a direct response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s summer ruling that expanded gun-carry rights.
The wide ranging measure, A4769 (22R), also overhauls the state’s process for receiving a concealed carry permit and mandates the purchase of liability insurance for people carrying handguns in public. The law is among the nation’s most stringent gun carry rules, which Murphy and legislative leaders said was necessary to prevent gun violence.
“What kind of state do we want to be? Do we want to be like Mississippi or Alabama, whose firearm death rates are nearly five times ours, or do we want to remain a state where people can actually be and feel safe?” Murphy said at a bill signing event flanked by gun control advocates in red "Moms Demand Action" shirts. “This law ensures that no matter what Washington might throw at us, we will keep doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our citizens.”
The new law will face an imminent federal court challenge from gun rights groups seeking to overturn it.
NJ Cannabis Sales Skyrocket
New Jersey’s recreational cannabis market has only been in existence for less than eight months, but legal marijuana is already showing meteoric returns that industry experts indicate as a sign of things to come.
New Jersey cannabis sales neared $178 million in the third quarter, buoyed by a 46% increase in marijuana sold for recreational purposes as the number of "adult use" dispensaries in the state more than doubled, according to figures released by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission last week.
Dispensaries brought in more than $116.5 million in recreational sales from July through September, a huge step up from the nearly $80 million sold in the second quarter. Medical marijuana sales topped $61.1 million, a smaller increase of about 3% over the second quarter.
NJEDA Announces additional $5 Million for Sustain & Serve NJ Program
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced plans to allocate an additional $5 million in state funding to Phase 3 of its Sustain & Serve NJ program. Sustain & Serve NJ provides nonprofit organizations with grants to support the purchase of meals from New Jersey restaurants that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the distribution of those meals at no cost to recipients. The announcement comes at a time of year when nonprofits are facing peak demand for food assistance. The funding announced today is expected to support the purchase of an additional 450,000 meals.
"Sustain & Serve NJ is a unique tool with a proven track record of enabling nonprofits to buy meals from local restaurants to combat food insecurity," Governor Phil Murphy said. "Food banks and other nonprofits statewide are seeing a rising demand this holiday season and this added $5 million for Sustain & Serve NJ will significantly aid their efforts to connect New Jerseyans with nutritious meals."
Happy Holidays
River Crossing Strategy Group wishes our friends and clients a joyous holiday season and a healthy and prosperous New Year.