NJ cops say Gov decriminalized teen use of alcohol, marijuana

(Compiled from Associated Press and KYW News Radio) — Governor Phil Murphy and lawmakers in New Jersey last week removed any penalties for underage drinking. Barnegat Township Police Chief Keith Germain said the legislature has been clear about punishing cops for interactions with minors who are drinking or smoking marijuana, and prohibits police from telling parents.

“Police chiefs, in general, have been supportive of the idea of decriminalizing cannabis for adults and dealing with these equity issues,” he said.

“The big problem we have here is that you have legislation which effectively decriminalized alcohol and marijuana [use] for kids. I mean, that’s what this is. There’s no other way to look at it.”

Legislation to set up a recreational marijuana marketplace, decriminalize cannabis and loosen penalties for underage possession of the drug and alcohol was signed into law Monday by Gov. Phil Murphy, more than three months after voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot question to legalize adult use of the drug.

The Democrat-led Assembly and Senate passed the last-minute measure Monday, Feb. 22 to ease penalties on underage possession of both alcohol and marijuana as a way to secure the democratic governor’s signature on legislation they had sent him in December.

Murphy faced a deadline to act on the measures. He had earlier said he backed the legislation, but delayed signing it for more than two months amid [his] concerns that young people of color could still face arrests [for use of marijuana – or alcohol]….

The governor [would not explain] why he delayed [signing the law], but did say he wants to be sure that young people, particularly people of color, don’t get “tangled up in our criminal justice system.”

The bill that passed Monday amounted to a linchpin to getting the governor’s support, according to lawmakers.

The legislation makes underage possession of alcohol and marijuana subject to a written warning [but prohibits police from notifying parents].  [Subsequent violations would result in] parental notification and a referral to community services.  Currently, underage drinking is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail.

Part of the new legislation makes it so towns will no longer have the authority to enact ordinances with civil penalties or fines concerning underage possession or consumption violations on private property, among other measures.

Chief Germain, a board member with the State Association of Chiefs of Police, said the new law only allows police to issue a written warning to a child caught drinking or smoking marijuana and police are prohibited from telling the parents.

“If you read this law, the only interpretation I can have is they believe the greatest threat to kids is we need to protect them from the police. So I’m still trying to wrap my brain around that one.”

Voters overwhelmingly approved adult use of recreational marijuana on Election Day, but Germain said they didn’t vote to decriminalize pot and alcohol for minors or keep secrets from parents.

“It’s going to allow for more use and abuse,” he predicted. “I think it would defy logic to think otherwise.”

Germain said he has no idea what lawmakers were thinking when they approved this bill.

“I wouldn’t want to call this an unintended consequence because I don’t see how you could pass this legislation unless it was intentional.”

Democratic bill sponsor Sen. Nicholas Scutari, who is also a municipal prosecutor, disputed that the current penalties work and said the new law will keep young people — particularly Black youngsters — out of the criminal justice system.

The [sale of recreational marijuana] marketplace legalization bill applies the state’s 6.625% sales tax, with 70% of the proceeds going to areas disproportionately affected by marijuana-related arrests. Black residents were likelier — up to three times as much — to face marijuana charges than white residents.

Towns can levy a tax of up to 2% under the measure.

Also under the bill, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission will be able to levy an excise tax, the amount of which will depend on the cost per ounce of cannabis.

There will be four levels of tax under the bill, so if cannabis is $350 or more, the tax per ounce will be $10. That rises to $60 per ounce if the retail price of the product is less than $250.

The number of licenses for cultivators will be set at 37 for two years. The state Senate was pushing for no limits, but the Assembly wanted the caps.

The [additional] decriminalization measure is necessary because the state’s laws make possession a crime, despite the voter-approved amendment, according to lawmakers. The measure passed with with broad bipartisan support.

Compiled from articles by Mike Dougherty, KYW News Radio and Associated Press at NJ101.5. Reprinted here for educational purposes only. May not be reproduced on other websites without permission.