Someone is arrested for marijuana possession in New Jersey every 15 minutes. And that startling number has only gotten worse over the past few years, according to civil rights advocates.
On Friday, the ACLU of New Jersey released a report that examined the state's 2016 and 2017 crime data. Researchers found that – despite a growing chorus of voices calling for legalization and expungement – marijuana arrests have actually risen "dramatically" over the past few years.
Read the full report.
According to the ACLU-NJ:
Dear Members of the New Jersey Legislature,
For far too long, the prohibition of cannabis has devastated communities across New Jersey. In that time, the prohibition of cannabis has intensified racial disparities in the criminal justice system and arrests have skyrocketed. In 2017 alone, New Jersey saw nearly 38,000 arrests for marijuana-related offenses.
A driving desire to steer control over a multi-billion dollar industry has forced politicians to withdraw marijuana legalization legislation in Trenton, but advocates from the ACLU-NJ and allies say they will redouble their efforts to pass a bill that places racial and social justice at the fore.
Entrepreneurs are watching for the billion-dollar marijuana industry to emerge if pot becomes legal, an economic opportunity unrivaled in modern Newe Jersey history. Politicians are hoping to capitalize on the action, which has gummed up the process of doing justice.
With New Jersey on the brink of approving the most detailed marijuana reform bill of any state, some observers say three women were integral to getting the process this far.
They include Assemblymember Annette Quijano, the prime sponsor of the legalization bill in that chamber; Dara Servis, the executive director of the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association; and Dianna Houenou, described as an effective advocate as part of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ), particularly as part of the New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform.
Amol Sinha, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, likes that a recent draft of the legislation allows some people to get their arrests records cleared if they’ve successfully completed parole or probation, or finished serving time in prison. But he'd also like to see people still in the system cleared, and released if they're still incarcerated.
Five key statewide leaders—representing advocates and opponents—offered a range of opinions on the future legalization of marijuana in New Jersey, while highlighting the uncertainties of what such legalization may bring at a luncheon forum Jan. 25 in Hackensack.
The leaders from politics, civil liberties, law enforcement, banking and the cannabis industry covered most aspects roiling a legislative and social debate over legalization and left over 100 attendees at Bergen Volunteer Center’s Fifth Friday luncheon at Stony Hill Inn with many lingering questions and concerns.
As Trenton begins to debate a marijuana bill approved on Monday by a joint legislative committee, creating an efficient process for tossing out past convictions has become central to gaining support from lawmakers who represent predominantly African-American communities.
They came to the Statehouse wearing marijuana leaves on their clothes, with buttons and T-shirts and fiery testimony about the "failed drug war."
But when legislators cleared the bill to legalize weed in New Jersey — the first real step taken toward marijuana legalization? Many of the state's most ardent and longest-running activists were left wanting more.
Whether at legislative hearings, rubbing elbows on the Acela to D.C., or behind closed doors, these 11 insiders have been involved in most of the discussions with respect to medical expansion and adult-use legislation. So let’s take a closer look at who they are and who they represent to get an idea of what they may be looking for in proposed legislation.
Here’s an alphabetical rundown of the 11 biggest players and their respective interests.
Bills to legalize the recreational use of marijuana have been introduced in the state Assembly and the state Senate. Legalizing marijuana was part of Governor Phil Murphy’s campaign platform, and he continues to support the cause, but the debate over cannabis legalization in New Jersey continues, with opinions divided in the legislature and in the state at large.