N.J. could make possessing weed a crime again under these circumstances
New Jersey could make possessing cannabis a crime again under new legislation advanced by the leaders of the state Senate that would target those who buy weed from those who are not licensed by the state.
The measure would carry penalties of up to six months in jail.
The move is led by the original architect of the law that legalized cannabis, Senate President Nick Scutari, D-Union. It is co-sponsored by the Senate’s Republican leader, Anthony Bucco, R-Morris.
“We have a legalized regulated market for a reason,” Scutari said during an interview Tuesday, saying consumers can buy weed in dispensaries across the state. New Jersey has more than 120 dispensaries, but only 30% of the towns allow them.
It is already illegal to sell cannabis without a license, but people are allowed to possess up to six ounces of weed.
The bill (S4154) would make it a disorderly persons offense for consumers to buy weed that is not licensed by the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission. It states that this offense carries punishment of up to six months in jail and fines of up to $1,000.
The three-page bill does not specify whether the punishment would be based the amount of cannabis.
New Jersey launched sales of cannabis for recreational weed in April 2022. The industry surpassed the billion dollar mark for the first time last year.
In his state budget speech on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy spoke of how much money the cannabis market made while also mentioning cannabis legalization’s social justice objectives. He also praised Scutari for creating the cannabis law.
“In just five years, cannabis has gone from destroying lives — in the form of excessive criminal sentences — to helping save lives,“ the Democratic governor said. ”And by way: this simply would not have been possible without the leadership of Senate President Nick Scutari.” Scutari’s new cannabis bill would have a disproportionate impact on the diverse populations Murphy trumpeted in his speech, said Rev. Charles Boyer of Salvation and Social Justice, an organization that played a role in putting in criminal justice reforms into the cannabis law.
Scutari’s bill would need to pass the full state Senate and Assembly and be signed by the governor to become law.
Murphy’s office declined comment on the measure. Senate Republicans did not respond to a request for comment.