NJ marijuana legalization: Legal weed lessons from our trip out West, coming soon

Three journalists. Two states. One goal: To try to figure out how this whole 'legal weed' thing works and what life is like in states that already have it.

The USA TODAY NETWORK / New Jersey sent three journalists to Colorado and California to get a first-hand look, smell and taste at what the future holds for the Garden State if marijuana is legalized.

They visited dispensaries. They got to know the people intimately involved with the cannabis industry, from entrepreneurs to regulators to local officials.

And they got high — accidentally, and to varying degrees. Well, mostly by accident.

The results will surprise, shock and may even give you the munchies.

Seriously, we’ll let you know what may be in store for New Jersey and your family if pot is legalized here, as Gov. Phil Murphy and top legislators are hoping to do as soon as this year.

You'll find our exclusive report, High Hopes: What NJ needs to know about legal weed in the west, May 21 on APP.com.

In the meantime, catch up on the latest in marijuana news from around the state:

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More: NJ marijuana legalization: Weed image problem decades in the making