New Jersey works to decriminalize cannabis and relax penalties for hallucinogenic mushrooms

A key New Jersey Senate committee unanimously approved a bill last Thursday to remove criminal penalties for possession of 6 ounces (168g) of cannabis. .

To everyone's surprise, an unidentified senator added an amendment to the bill to lower penalties for possession of up to 1 ounce of psilocybin, the main active substance in hallucinogenic mushrooms.

New Jersey voters voted last week to legalize cannabis. in the state. But lawmakers still need to pass bills to put in place future rules for the cannabis industry and end arrests for possession.

Originally introduced in June, the decriminalization bill originally proposed to decriminalize possession of one pound (500g) of cannabis. Voting on the bill had been delayed to wait and see if the state's voters would approve cannabis legalization.

Now passed, cannabis legalization in New Jersey will create a cannabis industry and remove criminal penalties for possession and distribution of small amounts of cannabis.

The decriminalization bill, with its amendment on hallucinogenic mushrooms, will come to a vote in the Senate early this week. If approved, it will go to Governor Phil Murphy's desk for consideration.