The department posted a statement to Facebook Friday afternoon, urging additional changes to the law Murphy signed Feb. 22 legalizing adult recreational use of marijuana.
"The bill that just got signed into law about parental notification doesn't go far enough in fixing the language," the police department's post said. "The existing legislation still threatens serious sanctions on officers who approach minors observed using marijuana and alcohol when that observation is based on odor."
"In addition, the laws remain confusing and unclear on when an officer may search or demand that marijuana be turned over, even when the officer sees the drug in plain view," the post said. "Under this current legislation, an officer who engages a minor engaged in underage use or possession of marijuana or alcohol could find themselves being charged with the third-degree crime of deprivation of civil rights."
The threat of legal consequences for police officers has been a significant concern for law enforcement all over the state. The Ocean County Chiefs of Police Association held a news conference on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk on March 20 to express their concerns about the state's marijuana law with respect to minors and police officers.