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Hang in there, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday, New Jersey will get legal recreational marijuana "sooner than later."

A vote could even happen within weeks, he added.

That was Murphy's message during a Facebook Live town hall when asked a question many in the Garden State have: When will his vow to legalize pot here be realized?

Murphy, a Democrat, asked the Democrat-controlled state Legislature to send him a bill by the end of the year. But months of arguments and missed deadlines have caused uncertainty about that goal.

Last week, though, New Jersey's top lawmaker, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, said at least the Senate could vote by Oct. 29 -- even though a measure hasn't formally been introduced and no public hearings have been scheduled.

The state Assembly would also need to pass the bill before Murphy could sign it into law. It's unclear if that chamber would vote that day, too.

Murphy said Monday that date seems plausible.

"Based on the tenor of discussions and the give and take we've gotten, that feels about right," the rookie governor said.

"People have got to remember: We're not inventing marijuana," Murphy added. "This exists right now. It's not regulated. It's in the hands of the bad guys. Kids are exposed. It's not taxed. And the inequities, particularly along racial lines, continue."

Murphy concluded "we're closer than not" on legal weed.

"Assuming the legislation comes to me in the way we hope it does, I'll sign that," he added. "So hang in there."

Join me live to discuss the economic future of New Jersey. Ask questions below, or use the hashtag #NJStateofInnovation. Posted by Governor Phil Murphy on Monday, October 1, 2018

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.