The state Legislature’s top elected official shot down a proposal to decriminalize marijuana possession, calling it “problematic” and saying it would enhance the state’s black market.
This comes following the state Assembly’s Tuesday cancellation of a Thursday vote on a bill that would set up an expungement process for cannabis-related offenses and another that would decriminalize possession of up to two ounces of marijuana – instead putting in place a $50 fine.
Senate president Stephen Sweeney at NJBIZ offices on Aug. 28, 2018. – AARON HOUSTON/NJBIZ
“Once we decriminalize it… it enhances the dealer on the corner because if I’m selling weed, all you’re getting is a $50 traffic ticket,” Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-3rd District, said in a recent editorial board meeting with the USA Today Network New Jersey.
Earlier this week, Sen. Joe Vitale, D-19th District, said lawmakers were eyeing a plan to merge the decriminalization and expungement bills, given that the approval of the latter would allow individuals to apply to have their records clear, though it would be for an offense still illegal under state law.
The state Assembly is still holding a vote Thursday on a measure expanding New Jersey’s medical marijuana program, though the Senate has cancelled its session for that same day, when it was to vote on the medical marijuana and expungement bills.
“I think that the Attorney General can actually deal with this piece, they did it earlier,” Sweeney said, pointing to last summer where the attorney general’s office “came out with rules not to prosecute people for marijuana possession.”
Sweeney, Gov. Phil Murphy and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District, agreed in late March to cancel the votes on an expungement, medical marijuana and recreational marijuana package when it became apparent the Senate did not have the votes needed to pass the upper house.
