The Senate Judiciary Committee tonight finally considered and passed S-2703, otherwise known as the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory and Expungement Aid Modernization Act, which legalizes personal use cannabis for adults, creates the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to regulate personal use and medical cannabis; and provides expungement relief for certain past marijuana offenses.

The committee vote was 6-4-1.

All four Republicans on the committee voted no.

But two Democratic yeses were less than resounding.

Swing district Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) opposed legalization.

“I can’t vote for this,” he said.

Senator Sandy Cunningham (D-31) abstained.

Senator Bob Smith (D-17) voted yes to release but could not guarantee a floor vote in favor of adult use of marijuana.

“It will be one of the toughest votes cast in my legislative career,” said the Middlesex senator. “I have some issues with it, quite frankly.”

Senators Pat Diegnan and Troy Singleton voted yes.

Senator Vin Gopal also voted yes.

Senator Nellie Pou voted yes to release, but like Smith noted she wasn’t a cemented yes ahead of a floor vote.

Senator Nick Scutari (the bill’s author), of course, voted yes.

“It’s a recognition of what society has become,” he said.

Senators Gerry Cardinale and Mike Doherty voted no.

So did fellow Republican Senator Kristin Corrado.