New Jersey Assembly validates decriminalization of cannabis

In mid-June, New Jersey legislators voted to decriminalize cannabis in their state.

The State Assembly voted 63 to 10, with 5 abstentions, in favor of the measure. A1897, one of two cannabis decriminalization projects currently before the state legislature. The text aims to replace arrests for possession of up to 2 ounces (56 grams) of cannabis with a fine of 50 $, and also reduces prison sentences and fines for possession of larger quantities of cannabis.

The other bill, which would decriminalize up to 1lb (450g) of cannabis, was introduced in the State Senate in early June. Neither bill would legalize cannabis, a proposal that could find itself on the ballot this November as part of a popular initiative.

In 2019, New Jersey had failed to legalize cannabis for lack of support, and had already announced its intention to pursue its efforts legalization in 2020.

Cannabis and justice in New Jersey

The bills were introduced in the Legislature shortly after mass protests against police violence around the world. Police in New Jersey, Texas and New York make more cannabis arrests than any other state, and blacks are arrested more than three times as often as whites.

«Knowing about these disparities is not enough to eliminate them. Only through legalization based on racial and social justice can we begin to right this wrong,» said Amol Sinha, executive director of the ACLU in New Jersey, in a press release released earlier this year. «We need New Jersey voters to approve legalization, and we need the legislation enacting it to put racial and social justice front and center.»

Legislation from Assembly Democrats would set new regulations for possession and personal use of cannabis and establish expedited and virtual expungements in New Jersey @BenjieWimberly @AnnetteQuijano @jamelholley @AswMcKnight @AswTimberlake pic.twitter.com/4uWTY1XdTl

- NJ Assembly Democrats (@njassemblydems) June 18, 2020

Both decriminalization projects still need to be passed by the Senate before moving on to the governor's desk. Although the Senate is predominantly Democratic, a similar bill was passed in 2012 but never became law. Nevertheless, Governor Phil Murphy and Senate President Stephen Sweeney have recently said they are ready for decriminalization to stop wrongful arrests.