the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Its official New Jersey has legalized marijuana . Phil Murphy signed into law three bills putting into effect a ballot question overwhelmingly supported by voters last year.
New Jersey the first state in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic to eschew decades of arrests in favor of a program that would stop tens of thousands of arrests per year and kickstart a brand new cannabis industry that could be an economic boom for the state and region.
The media will of course forget to mention that In November, the citizens of New Jersey ended the debate about Marijuana legalization by passing the referendum. We do not oppose the legalization of marijuana as an organization. Police will do their jobs as the law directs us. But a law that establishes an enforcement power cannot also make it illegal for law enforcement to use that power.
The law as it stands criminalizes any response or investigation by a police officer for illegal use by juveniles by detaining someone ‘for a longer period beyond the extent required’ to issue a ‘warning or write-up’. This statute adds so much guess work and uncertainty that we would advise our members throughout the state to take no law enforcement action regarding marijuana or alcohol use by any party in the state.
This language is anti-police rhetoric at its worst and its consequences will be real. Underage users of marijuana will be free to smoke it anywhere, including in places the bill says is illegal, because merely stopping a person to enforce the law is now illegal for police. Drug dealers will quickly learn to hide their drugs, guns and evidence of crimes on anyone under 18 years of age since merely lighting a joint as the officer approaches will put the officer in jeopardy of making an illegal search and being charged criminally.
The bill permanently ties an officer’s hands. An officer who sees or smells marijuana or alcohol cannot even inquire about the age of the user to ensure they can legally possess it, or the officer faces the charge of deprivation of civil rights, a 3rd degree offense subject to 3-5 years in prison, a fine of $15,000 or BOTH!
The solution exists to resolve this, either make it completely legal or provide an officer the right to ask for ID if marijuana is present and the rest of the law governing the issuance of warnings takes over. Otherwise, this is a bill intentionally designed to make law enforcement officers criminals overnight in New Jersey.
To the good citizens of the State of New Jersey: If you as a citizen would like to report the underage use of marijuana or alcohol, please do not call 9-1-1. Call the Governor’s office or your local state legislator. We have literally been handcuffed.
Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi summed it up ,”This is the final vote tally on today’s vote that prohibits parental notification if your kid gets caught with alcohol or pot (unless it is multiple offenses), that imposes only a fine of $250 in the event someone deals an ounce of pot to your child, that prohibits police from investigating a car full of kids that reeks of alcohol or marijuana and puts criminal penalties on law enforcement in the event they violate any of these provisions. If you are a parent in this State you should be furious.”
Assemblyman Bergen Statement On Underage Possession Bill, “It is a sad day for parents and police. Democrats have sacrificed the safety of children under the guise of social justice. How on earth can anyone justify making it virtually legal for kids to possess and use drugs and alcohol underage, while simultaneously making our cops criminals for trying to stop them. We are worse off today than we were yesterday, and I fear for the future of our children.”
Pot is dangerous , it affects different people different ways . Now they have oils which are 80 percent potent etc
When young and old people are in a daze driving , I hope they don’t kill someone in your family .
Isn’t it funny how the world turns, it’s amazing you can go online in bed thousands the top of thousands legitimate. A few years ago if you did that you were going to jail. And today on the note of legalizing marijuana isn’t that some thing. Can you imagine how many police employees are buying their head against the wall right now. How many officers received promotions, stipends, bonuses, is all the recognition from individuals who had marijuana seeds on them, roaches, marijuana cigarettes, not anymore they’re all thrown out of court. It was such a waste of time. The governor today said we don’t need a tire our court systems up with ridiculous arrests. He said the police should worry about bigger and better more important thanks he’s right. Just like our local police sitting on state highways pulling people over when they should be patrolling the town they working. Lee die Waze for the state police that’s their duty because local police do not like Bergen county or State police on top of Their shoes.
Marijuana is a gateway drug.
Is there ever a heroin addict that didnt start by smoking a joint
How many drug dealers avoid taxes and shoot each other.
Whats next, legalize heroin?
You people are sick to promote this
Look, I get the whole “It’s my body” thing. I have tried it a few times in my younger years. However, what I feel about this whole movement towards completely legitimizing the use of marijuana is a disturbing mindset of generally wanting to slack off and be lazy. The internet is rampant with significant numbers of people who want to get high, want some kind of free universal income, who despise people who have actually made something of their lives, and celebrate anarchy. The desire to avoid life’s responsibilities and get into altered states is not something a minority of young slackers owns anymore. It’s a lot people who should be well on their way to living responsible and contributory lives. This goes way beyond whether marijuana should be legal or not.
Just wait for the first pot smoker to get in the car and kill somebody.
The lawyers will be complaining the police didn’t do their jobs.
Blinders will be standard issue for all departments.
Clearly the “Things are Changing” poster is already high…
More importantly… what are the COVID restrictions?
Am I allowed to pass it around, or will Bogarting become mandatory for public safety?
I don’t know from what I see in 30 years more people get into trouble drinking. More people have been killed from DWIs, then marijuana. More people have died from drinking and smoking marijuana. Am I suggesting people smoke marijuana and drive absolutely not. But if it helps people with pain and other medical conditions then we should be for it. As long as it’s grown in a healthy environment. We still have a big big problem with drinking. And what about cigarette smoking that has killed more people than Covid will ever. And all the other side effects are worse than any other disease. Cigarette Chemicals are terrible that’s why they don’t disclose them. But yet all foods must disclose what’s inside their ingredients. You notice cigarette companies don’t. Let’s start worrying about that. That’s real unhealthy. You’re better off smoking a nice fresh cigar.
I’m in favor of anything that makes you and your kids less competitive than me and mine. Smoke ’em if you’ve got ’em!
If a child smokes marijuana it should only be at home with the parents permission,I firmly believe that anyone that is suffering from cancer and anyone that has anxiety issues,or in great pain caused by lupus,fibromyalgia etc.
Are we still pushing the “medical marijuana” hoax?
Move On.
Legal recreational Marijuana is here.
“Medicinal” Marijuana has served its useful purpose.
We are pathetic.
Keep voting A-holes like Murphy into office.