Buried behind the talk about a millionaire's tax, Gov. Murphy broke some news during his budget address about marijuana this week, revealing what will be needed for him to sign legislation to legalize it.

And the state's top lawmaker also revealed what could be the Legislature's new schedule for finally passing a marijuana legalization bill. State Senate President Stephen Sweeney told NJ Advance Media on Thursday he's hoping to finally hold a vote by the end of March on a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in New Jersey, saying: "The time to get it done is now."

"It's really important that we get this thing done this month," Sweeney told NJ Advance Media in an interview at the Statehouse in Trenton. Murphy, meanwhile, said during his budget address that he will only sign the legislation "if it expunges the records of those who have been put through our criminal justice system for prior marijuana offenses."

His words drew sharp, steady applause. "I know we're not across the finish line yet, but we are closer than ever before," he said. "Most importantly, this is the right step for eliminating decades-old and persistent racial and social inequities."

"Let's commit to completing this effort, together," he added.

Murphy addressed the issue at 1:07:50 on the video:

Last month, Murphy and Sweeney reportedly reached an agreement that will pave the way toward marjuana legalization in New Jersey. NJ Advance Media, The Asbury Park Press and the New Jersey Globe said the governor and legislative leaders resolved their differences on the major sticking point in negotiations: how to tax marijuana once it's legalized.