That does not mean visitors to Jersey Shore towns should feel free to spark up this summer. Police say it’s business as usual at this point, which means those caught with marijuana will face charges.
“It’s not going to have no impact on the Ocean City Police Department,” said Detective Sgt. Steph Sullivan.
Like other shore towns, Ocean City sees a summer spike in marijuana arrests along with the large influx of tourists in July and August, but according to Sullivan, the summer of 2018 hasn’t been noticeably different than other years.
The change in approach has not meant much of a change at the municipal level, either. According to Wildwood municipal prosecutor Ronald Gelzunas, most cases of simple possession in shore towns would not be heard until after the summer.
Depending on what the defendant decides to do, after the initial court appearance, someone charged with possession would most likely go back in front of the judge at least once.
“It would typically take three to four weeks anyway,” Gelzunas said. He said he has asked for marijuana cases to be adjourned until September, but otherwise does not expect to see too much of an impact from Grewal’s request.