Sen. Gerald Cardinale, R-Bergen, is the primary sponsor of S3407, introduced Thursday. The bill legalizes possession of six or fewer marijuana plants once Murphy signs a legalization bill into law.
Medical marijuana patients have long called for the state to allow them to grow their own plants. The strained medical cannabis program in New Jersey has led to high prices and product shortages, and those who want to grow their own medicine see it as a work around for the program’s hurdles.
But Democratic lawmakers, while pursuing legalization, have said they do not want to allow home grow just yet. Cardinale’s bill would affect not just medical patients, but allow growing for personal use, too.
Currently, growing five plants or less can result in three to five years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Many states with medical marijuana programs allow patients to grow their own cannabis at home.
Cardinale’s bill is subject to Murphy signing the legalization bill (S21). Lawmakers passed it in December, but the governor has held off on signing until fixes are made to establish civil penalties, like fines and warnings, for those under 21 caught with marijuana.
The senator has not supported legalization, but has spoken up about allowing home grow in recent months.
Reported by NJ Advance Media - nj.com - Click the Learn More link above to read the full article