Applies statutory ethics and conflicts-of-interest standards for casino industry regulators and participants to regulators of and participants in legalized marijuana marketplace.

This bill (A2524) would apply New Jersey's existing ethics and conflicts-of-interest rules for casino industry regulators to the legalized marijuana industry. It would prevent people from being appointed to regulate marijuana businesses if they had financial ties to marijuana businesses within the past three years, require financial disclosures from regulators, and prohibit regulators from having financial interests in marijuana businesses during their service. The bill would also impose post-employment restrictions (four years for officials, two years for employees) and require a Code of Ethics modeled on judicial standards. Violations would result in civil penalties of $500-$10,000 or criminal charges for serious violations. This would directly affect marijuana industry regulators, employees, and businesses seeking licenses.