New Jersey police officers will be allowed to purchase and consume marijuana once it's officially and legally for sale, just like any other potential customer, under the legal weed laws passed last year.
On Thursday, acting New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin issued a memo alerting police chiefs that law enforcement agencies "may not take any adverse action against any officers because they do or do not use cannabis off duty," which was codified in the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act.
Police officers are barred from possessing or using marijuana while on the clock, or performing any work while under the influence.
"To be clear, there should be zero tolerance for cannabis use, possession or intoxication while performing the duties of a law enforcement officer," Platkin said. "And there should be zero tolerance for unregulated marijuana consumption by officers at any time, on or off duty, while employed in this state.
"The safety of our communities and our officers demands no less."