New Jersey's top Democrats in the Legislature acknowledged Monday that they will not meet their self-imposed deadline this month to vote on a bill to legalize recreational marijuana.
At least one of them says he needs Gov. Phil Murphy's help to get the measure passed.
Some Democrats in the Senate "are taking a different position" on the proposal to legalize and tax the drug, Senate President Stephen Sweeney said. Sweeney did not name those lawmakers or disclose their reasons for withholding support, but he called for Murphy to intervene so the Senate can get the 21 necessary votes for the bill to pass.
"The administration has got to be a part of this. This is a big lift," said Sweeney, D-Gloucester. "I need help. I need to get to 21," he added.
