A New Jersey proposal to expand labor protections for marijuana industry employees has been approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, sending it to the full Senate for consideration.
The committee voted 9 to 4 to advance Assembly Bill 4182, which establishes clearer conditions of employment for marijuana workers. The bill is sponsored by State Representatives Wayne DeAngelo, Reginald Atkins and Annette Quijano, all Democrats.
The legislation previously passed the full Assembly on June 30 by a 61 to 19 vote, following earlier approvals from the Assembly Oversight and Labor Committees. Its latest committee approval marks another significant step as it moves through the Senate.
Supporters say the bill is intended to strengthen workplace protections in New Jersey’s marijuana industry, which has added thousands of jobs since legalization but has faced ongoing scrutiny over labor standards and worker rights. As the regulated market continues to grow, backers argue that clearer employment rules will provide greater stability for workers while improving accountability across the industry.
The proposal was first introduced in April 2024 and has steadily advanced through the legislative process, earning favorable votes at multiple stages. With approval now secured from the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, the measure is headed to the full Senate, where lawmakers will decide whether to send it to the governor’s desk.
If enacted, the bill would expand labor protections for marijuana workers and further integrate the state’s cannabis workforce into New Jersey’s broader labor framework.
