New Jersey cannabis decriminalization has been a long time coming, and in no way has it been something that people have fought for with ease. In fact, for a while, especially this month, it didn't look like it was going to happen. But it has!
This week, news spread that New Jersey will no longer prosecute any cases related to cannabis. At least, not for the rest of the summer.
New Jersey Cannabis Decriminalization: It's a Go!
This is a move that will affect millions of NJ inhabitants and thousands of defendants—in a positive way.
Today, the NJ Advance Media reported that New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has asked that all municipal prosecutors dismiss all cannabis offences until September. The specific date is September 4th.
There are a few things to take away from the New Jersey cannabis decriminalization.
For starters, New Jersey not prosecuting cannabis cases until September is significant. Why? Because in September, there will be a new bill intended to legalize a regulated (and taxed) adult-use marijuana market presented to the state Senate around the same time.
If, and only if, the state Senate passes it, then this week's move and the September bill could lead to the official end of cannabis possession prosecution in the state of New Jersey.
Second, even though many in NJ were striving for decriminalization, it didn't seem like it was going to happen. Last week, a municipal prosecutor, Jake Hudnut, and Mayor Steve Fulop announced plans to decriminalize low-level cannabis offences. Good news, right? Wrong. Gurbir Grewal came forward 24 hours later and said the prosecutor had no "legal authority" to do so.
At that point, all hope seemed lost. But in reality, Grewal just had bigger plans for New Jersey cannabis decriminalization—and he made these plans known this week.
The Takeaway
What do you think about the New Jersey cannabis decriminalization news? Should Gurbir Grewal have made this move? Some may not agree, while others have been waiting for this for ages.
I suppose it all boils down to what you think about cannabis use, and if you want your state, country, or city to lift the rules on the drug.
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